Record-breaking European heatwave linked to over 1,300 deaths, with 1,000 in France alone

Jun 28, 2026

An unprecedented early summer heatwave has claimed over 1,300 lives across Europe, including 1,000 excess deaths in France alone, where 85% of victims were aged 65 or older. All-time temperature records fell in Germany at 41.7°C, the Czech Republic at 41.9°C, and Poland at 40.5°C. The WHO warns that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, heating at twice the global average. Scientists state the extreme event would be virtually impossible without climate change, which has made such heatwaves 200 times more likely.

European heatwave death toll

▪Public Health France reported that France experienced at least 1,000 additional deaths between June 24, 2026, and June 26, 2026, during the height of the heatwave.
▪Public Health France stated that 85% of the excess deaths recorded in France during the heatwave involved individuals aged 65 and older.
▪At least seven people died in swimming accidents in Germany over the weekend of June 27-28, 2026, as people sought to cool off from the extreme heat.
▪The World Health Organization reported that more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded in Europe since June 21, 2026, linked to high temperatures.

Climate change attribution

▪The intense heat in Europe was caused by a weather pattern known as an omega block, which traps a bulging mass of hot air over regions for extended periods.
▪A study by World Weather Attribution reported that the record-breaking heat and humidity in Europe would have been virtually impossible five decades ago without climate change.
▪The World Weather Attribution study found that the extreme heat in Europe is 200 times more likely today than it would have been 20 years ago.

Temperature records across Europe

▪The Czech Republic experienced its hottest day on record, reaching 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in Doksany.
▪Germany recorded a new temperature record of 41.7 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) in Neißemünde near the Polish border.
▪Poland broke its all-time temperature record on June 28, 2026, reaching 40.5 degrees Celsius (104.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the town of Slubice.

Heat-related infrastructure damage

▪Germany's national rail operator Deutsche Bahn warned passengers to avoid all unnecessary train travel over the weekend of June 27-28, 2026.
▪In Leipzig, Germany, tram services were suspended until June 29, 2026, due to heat damage that caused joint sealant for asphalt and concrete in tracks to melt and clump.
▪More than 600 passengers were evacuated from an overheated train in Brandenburg after a storm knocked a tree onto a power line, disabling the air conditioning.

WHO heat warnings

▪World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average.
▪World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on European countries to implement heat health action plans focusing on preparedness and prevention.