Published on
03/07/2026 - 11:39 GMT+2
A late-June heatwave that pushed temperatures across parts of Europe to record highs is believed to have caused more than 4,000 excess deaths across several Western European countries, according to preliminary national figures.
France recorded 2,025 additional deaths — a nearly 30% increase — during the week beginning 22 June, at the peak of the country's record-breaking heatwave.
Belgium saw a 39% increase in mortality, amounting to 1,222 additional deaths, between 18 June and 29 June. Belgian authorities said this represents the highest daily death toll in the country since the first wave of the coronavirus.
