Heat wave death toll tops 280 across Europe as extreme temperatures persist
More than 280 people have died across Europe as an intense heat wave continues to push temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), with Spain, France, Italy and Germany reporting fatalities directly or indirectly linked to the extreme weather.
Spain has recorded the highest number of heat-related deaths, with the country's public mortality surveillance system (MoMo) reporting 212 fatalities between June 21 and June 24. The daily toll rose steadily as the heat intensified, from 13 deaths on Sunday to 95 on Wednesday.
France and Italy report dozens of deaths
France has reported nearly 60 deaths linked to the heat, including at least 43 drownings since June 18 as people sought relief from the high temperatures. Authorities have also reported several deaths directly associated with the heat, including children found inside parked vehicles, elderly people and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Italy has confirmed five deaths, including two farmers, a homeless man and another man who collapsed at a cemetery. Authorities expanded the highest-level heat alert to 18 cities, warning that the extreme temperatures pose health risks even to healthy people.
The heat wave has also disrupted public services, with museums, tourist attractions and courts temporarily closing in some cities, while hospitals in the Lombardy region reported a rise in emergency admissions.
Germany reports drowning incidents
Germany has not confirmed any direct heat-related deaths, but authorities reported six drowning fatalities during swimming accidents over the weekend as temperatures climbed across the country.
Health risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies heat stress as the leading cause of weather-related deaths. Extreme heat can overwhelm the body's ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of heatstroke while worsening cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases and other chronic conditions.
The WHO estimates that about 489,000 heat-related deaths occur globally each year, with Europe accounting for around 36% of the total. The agency has warned that the continent is warming at roughly twice the global average rate, increasing the frequency and severity of extreme heat events.
Source-Photo:AA
