In Europe, 47 690 people died from heat in 2023
In Europe, an estimated 47,690 people died from heat-related causes in 2023, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday. The Barcelona-based ISGlobal institute found that last year was the second deadliest in terms of heat-related deaths in the past decade, with only 2022 having a higher estimated number, over 60,000. The study authors stressed that the number is an estimate, with a 95% probability that the actual number of heat-related deaths in Europe in 2023 ranged between 28,853 and 66,525.
The study analyzed temperature records and death tolls from 35 European countries. More than half of the recorded heat-related deaths occurred during heatwaves between mid-July and August 2023. During this period, temperatures reached 44°C (111°F) in Sicily on July 18, and wildfires in Greece claimed several lives.
The study authors emphasized that without state adaptation measures, the death toll would have been 80% higher. They called for "additional effective strategies" to reduce future heat-related deaths. The authors noted that due to human-induced climate change, more heat-related fatalities can be expected.
The findings of the study, published in Nature Medicine, serve as a stark reminder of the impact of heatwaves on public health. The study, which analyzed data from 35 European countries, highlighted that without adequate adaptation measures, the death toll could have been significantly higher.
