Germany Estimates 5,120 Deaths Linked to Heatwaves This Year

Berlin. In Germany, an estimated 5,120 people have died in heatwave-related incidents so far this year. This information was given in a weekly report released on Thursday by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's public health institute. 

According to the report, most deaths occurred in the last week of June. At that time, the weekly average temperature had risen significantly above 20 degrees Celsius. Of those who died, about 4,270 were elderly citizens aged 75 or older. The report states that more women than men died.

It is said that the number of women who died was higher overall because the number of women in the very old age group is higher. Germany's statistics have further exacerbated the severe heatwave situation spreading across Europe.

According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Western Europe experienced its hottest June ever this year. During that period, the average temperature reached 20.74 degrees Celsius.

Similarly, national bodies in France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands have reported over 4,700 additional deaths during the heatwave from June 20 to 28. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the highest number of deaths in Germany due to heat in the last decade occurred in 2018 and 2019.

In 2018, about 8,400 people and in 2019, about 6,900 people lost their lives due to heat-related causes.