WHO Reports Over 1,300 Deaths in Europe Due to Extreme Heatwave
Image source, Reuters
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief has stated that an unprecedented heatwave at the start of the European summer has caused thousands of deaths across the continent.
As the severe heat shifts eastward, countries across the continent including Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic have broken new temperature records on Sunday.
Writing on the social media platform X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that since June 21, there have been over 1,300 unusual deaths attributable to the ‘extreme temperatures seen in Europe.’
The ‘Silent Killer’
The WHO chief referred to the extreme heat as a ‘silent killer’ since it leads to fatal outcomes among people.
“Homes, offices, and schools in Europe are not designed to withstand such intense heat,” he said.
On Sunday morning, France’s Ministry of Health announced that more than 1,000 excess deaths had occurred since Wednesday across the country.
The ministry noted that many of these deaths involved elderly people over 65, and that deaths occurring at home had increased by approximately 40 percent.
“Europe is the continent warming at the fastest rate globally. The temperature rise here is twice the global average,” the WHO chief emphasized.
According to him, tens of millions of people in the continent are ‘‘living with extreme heat, hundreds have lost their lives, schools have been closed, and energy centers are heavily burdened.’’
Germany’s Hottest Days
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
Sunday marked the third consecutive day of record-breaking heat in Germany, with temperatures reaching 41.7 degrees Celsius in its eastern regions.
At a weather station located in eastern Brandenburg near the Polish border, Sunday’s temperature record of 41.7 degrees Celsius was set.
The Czech Republic also broke temperature records for the second time within two days, reaching 41.7 degrees Celsius in Doksany, north of Prague.
According to the CHMI weather institute, western regions could experience thunderstorms due to high temperatures on Sunday.
The Polish meteorological department informed AFP that Poland also shattered its highest temperature record, with 40.5 degrees Celsius registered in the town of Slubice on Sunday.
Role of Climate Change
The WHO chief attributed Europe’s temperature rise at twice the global average mainly to climate change.
“The impacts of climate change and global temperature increases have transformed heatwaves, which were rare before, into near annual events,” he explained.
He urged European nations to implement ‘health strategies to combat heat’ as a protective measure.
European officials have been taking effective steps to prevent illnesses related to the heat.
Last Thursday, a major music event was cancelled in the Netherlands due to the intense heat.
In Paris, public alcohol consumption was banned and the scheduled Pride march was also cancelled.
These restrictions remained in place up to the Norway-France World Cup match.
The Interior Minister reported that at least 74 people have drowned due to the heatwave.
“Such incidents occurred in rivers, lakes, and ponds without regular monitoring,” media sources noted.
The record-breaking temperatures in June have been attributed to the ‘heat dome’ effect.
This weather phenomenon involves air descending close to the ground, generating intense heat and pushing temperatures higher.
Due to the reduced water vapor in this air mass, clouds fail to form, leading to continuous hot weather that exacerbates the heat.