Europe’s early heat wave led to a spike in deaths, may have killed over 10,000

Europe's early 2026 heat wave caused a significant spike in deaths, with over 10,000 excess deaths reported across the continent. EuroMOMO data showed 14,260 excess deaths in the week ending June 28, primarily affecting those aged 65 and older. Germany and the UK reported the highest numbers, with 6,830 and 2,700 heat-related deaths, respectively, linked to record-breaking temperatures and climate change.