A European heatwave in late June caused over ten thousand excess deaths. Most of these fatalities occurred among individuals aged sixty-five and older. Extreme heat is strongly linked to this unusual spike in mortality. France and Belgium recorded very high excess mortality during this period. Separate studies also estimate thousands of heat-related deaths in England and Wales.

BRUSSELS — European countries reported more than 10,000 excess deaths during the record-breaking heat wave that engulfed the west of the continent...

The vast majority — more than 9,000 — were among people aged 65 and above.