France, Belgium and the Netherlands record 3,700 more deaths during historic heatwave

Extreme heat wave hits Paris, France
Reuters/Abdul Saboor
France, Belgium and the Netherlands recorded 3,700 more deaths during the extreme heat wave that raised temperatures across Europe in June. Authorities in these countries also warned that the numbers are preliminary and could increase.
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Experts stated that the heat wave, which lasted approximately from June 20 to 28, was the worst ever recorded in Europe, causing interruptions in power generation, damage to infrastructure and overload on health systems. According to scientists, the extreme heat was almost certainly driven by climate change.
In France, 2,025 excess deaths were recorded during the period, with a significant increase among people over 45, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told local television this Friday (3). Health care also grew, the country's public health authority said in a bulletin.
"Mortality will be higher than these initial figures suggest," Rist warned.
In Belgium, the Ministry of Health reported on Thursday that it recorded around 1,200 excess deaths between June 18 and 29, adding that 530 of those deaths were among people aged 85 and over. People under the age of 65 accounted for 180 of these deaths.
"Such excess mortality during a heat wave is unprecedented in our country," the ministry said in a statement.
Officials in the Netherlands said the heat wave led to around 480 excess deaths, mainly among people over 80.
Historic heat wave
Man dives into fountain near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, amid historic heat wave in the European country, on June 22, 2026.
Abdul Saboor/ Reuters
Europe went through a historic heat wave in the second half of June, amid the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere, which raised temperatures to extreme levels and caused historic temperature records in several countries, such as France.
The heat wave began in the west of the continent and headed east, recording historic temperature records wherever it passed.
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Source: G1