Europe's severe heatwave continues to claim lives, with rising numbers of heat-related and drowning deaths recorded across several countries.
In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute reported more than 800 heat-related deaths since the start of the year through June 21 — before the latest heatwave — noting that the elderly were the most affected.
In France, Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari said drowning deaths had risen to more than 90 since June 19 amid the heatwave, stressing that most incidents occurred in open bodies of water and involved people of all age groups.
In the Netherlands, health authorities announced approximately 480 excess deaths during the period from June 22 to June 28, most of them among people aged 80 and over, coinciding with record temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius.
Scientists are warning that the current heatwave, which began on June 20, is among the most severe Europe has witnessed, with its health consequences expected to continue.