Germany’s Heat Death Toll Hits Record 15,800
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Berlin: According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany witnessed a series of severe heatwaves this summer that resulted in an estimated 15,800 heat-related deaths, the greatest number in at least ten years.
In a single week in late June, when temperatures in some parts of Germany were beyond 40°C, about 9,600 deaths were reported. During the first two weeks of August, an additional 4,000 heat-related deaths were projected.
Extreme temperatures were especially risky for anyone with pre-existing cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney illnesses, and those over 75 were the most seriously impacted. Heatstroke is not the only cause of heat-related mortality; underlying conditions frequently decline.
The most recent estimate significantly surpasses Germany's prior records for heat-related deaths. About 9,500 deaths were reported by the RKI in 2018, which was regarded as the worst heat year in the nation's history.
As heatwaves continue to occur more frequently and with greater intensity throughout Europe, the numbers demonstrate the growing health burden of excessive heat and climate change.
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