A man cools his head at water hoses spilling water to provide relief from the summer heat as part of Cologne’s climate adaptation measures in Cologne, western Germany on June 25, 2026 during a heatwave in Europe. Photo: Ina Fassbender / AFP / Lehtikuva
International news
More than 1,300 excess deaths have been linked to the record-breaking heatwave sweeping across Europe, the World Health Organization said, as temperatures climbed above 40°C in several countries and health authorities warned of mounting pressure on hospitals and emergency services.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the deaths had been recorded since 21 June and described heat stress as a "silent killer" that poses a growing threat across the continent.
"Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures," Tedros wrote on X.
