France, the Netherlands, and Belgium recorded an additional 3,700 deaths during the June heat wave that struck many European countries, with authorities warning that this figure is preliminary and likely to rise.

Experts have announced that the heatwave, which lasted from around June 20 to June 28, was the worst on record in Europe, causing problems with energy production, damaging infrastructure, and straining healthcare systems.

Scientists say the extreme temperatures are almost certainly due to climate change.

French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated earlier today that 2,025 excess deaths during the heat wave that hit the country last month and added that this number is likely to rise.

The country’s Public Health Agency announced that the number of deaths in France rose by nearly 30% and by 62% in the Paris region alone during the week of June 22, at the height of the heat wave.

“UNPRECEDENTED” MORTALITY DATA

In Belgium, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday that it recorded an excess mortality of approximately 1,200 deaths between June 18 and 29, adding that 530 of these deaths were among people aged 85 and older.

Victims under the age of 65 accounted for 180 of the excess deaths.

“Such excess mortality during a heat wave is unprecedented in our country,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to a report published today by the Belgian federal government, “based on preliminary data, Belgium recorded a 39% excess mortality rate (+1,222 additional deaths) between Thursday, June 18, and Monday, June 29.”

“This excess mortality during a heat wave is unprecedented in our country. The heat wave was unprecedented, with seven tropical days when temperatures exceeded 30 °C. The nights, in particular, were unusually hot,” the report emphasizes.

Mortality peaked on Saturday, June 27, with “a total of 572 deaths recorded,” according to a statement from the Belgian Ministry of Health.

The previous day, nearly the entire country had been placed under an orange or red heat alert, forcing authorities to cancel certain events, such as the annual reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo.

While Belgium did not officially break its June temperature records, temperatures reached 35 °C in Brussels for several consecutive days and as high as 38 or 40 °C in some areas.

In the Netherlands, authorities announced that the heatwave led to approximately 480 additional deaths, mainly among people over the age of 80.

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Source: APE-MPE