Europe Heatwave Death Toll
Record heat across Europe is driving excess deaths and shattered temperature records.
June 28, 2026 · Updated Jun 28, 11:05pm ET
HuffPostFrance Records Around 1,000 Additional Deaths Amid Extreme Heat Wave Leading To European Records
BBC NewsEurope's heatwave 'linked to 1,300 deaths' as more records broken
New York PostFrance records 1,000 excess deaths in record-breaking European heat wave
The GuardianGermany, Czechia, Poland and Hungary swelter through hottest days on record
ABC NewsFrance records around 1,000 additional deaths as extreme heat breaks European records
Washington TimesFrance records around 1,000 additional deaths as extreme heat sets European records
CBS NewsEurope sizzles under heat wave as records are smashed in Switzerland, Denmark, Germany
Epoch TimesFrance Reports 1,000 Excess Deaths During Record Heat Wave
SemaforHeat wave grips Europe, reigniting debate over AC
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What happened
Europe’s early-summer heatwave shattered temperature records across the continent as extreme heat spread from western Europe into central and eastern regions. Germany set successive all-time highs, reaching 41.7C near the Polish border after earlier provisional records above 41C, while records also fell in Denmark, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Switzerland. Authorities warned of mounting health risks, cancelled public events, imposed measures such as alcohol bans in France, and responded to heat-related disruptions including cracked roads and wildfires. The World Health Organization linked the heat to more than 1,300 excess deaths since June 21 and warned that Europe, the fastest-warming continent, must better protect residents as hotter summers become more common.