Europe records over 10,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave

Official data show that European countries recorded more than 10,000 excess deaths during the record-breaking heatwave that swept western Europe in late June.

According to data from the EuroMOMO network, supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization, more than 9,000 of these deaths were among people aged 65 and over.

Lassi Vestergaard, a physician at the Danish Statens Serum Institut, told Reuters that the spike in deaths during this time of year was "unusual", suggesting that extreme heat was the main cause.

Experts noted that the heatwave that struck Europe in late June would have been "virtually impossible" without the climate change driven by human activity, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.

The data, collected from 27 European countries, covered excess deaths from all causes during the period from 22 to 28 June, not only heat-related cases.