Amman, July 3 (Petra)– Preliminary national estimates indicate that
the late-June heatwave that swept across Europe, pushing temperatures
to record highs in some areas, resulted in more than 4,000 excess
deaths across several Western European countries.

In France, 2,025 excess deaths were recorded during the week
beginning June 22, representing an increase of nearly 30 percent
during the peak of the country’s record-breaking heatwave, according
to France’s public health agency on Friday.

Belgium reported a 39 percent increase in mortality, equivalent to
1,222 excess deaths, between June 18 and 29. Belgian authorities said
the toll marked the country’s highest daily death rate since the
first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Euronews.

In the Netherlands, authorities registered around 480 excess deaths
during the week of June 22–28. The most severe impact was among
people aged 80 and older, as temperatures climbed to nearly 40
degrees Celsius.

Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute reported at least 1,028
heat-related deaths, more than double the 407 recorded in June 2025.

Authorities stressed that the figures remain preliminary. France’s
national public health agency, Santé publique France, cautioned that
the current death toll “may underestimate the true impact” of the
heatwave.

With high temperatures expected to return in the coming weeks,
pressure is mounting on European governments to implement swift
measures to protect vulnerable populations.

//Petra// MF