Heat wave causes alarm: new figures on heat deaths revealed!

Heat wave causes alarm: new figures on heat deaths revealed!

The current reports of the alleged doubling of heat deaths during the recent heat wave in Europe are based on modeling by Imperial College London. However, this representation is called into question by preliminary death figures from the EU-funded platform Euromomo, which show no excess mortality. Loud exxpress.at No above-average deaths were recorded in most European countries during the heat wave.

There was a slight excess mortality in Spain in calendar week 26 and in Portugal and the Netherlands in calendar week 27. However, in all other countries no more people died than expected. The Euromomo platform compares mortality data from 27 European countries and is supported by the EU agency ECDC and the WHO. The preliminary figures should be viewed with caution, but have proven to be reliable during the corona pandemic.

Scientific analyzes of heat mortality

Climate research professor Friederike Otto also commented on the modeling that estimates additional deaths in twelve European cities. As the study shows, around 2,300 deaths could be attributed to this extreme weather during the heat wave from June 23 to July 2, 2025. Almost three times as many as without the influence of climate change, emphasized iwr.de.

In the top five cities, the additional climate change-related deaths are distributed as follows: Milan with 320, Barcelona with 286 and Paris with 235. These study results are part of a broader analysis of historical weather data and show the role of climate change in heat-related deaths.

Climate change and mortality

Population mortality is subject to seasonal fluctuations and is higher in the winter months than in the summer. This is proven by statistical data over decades ages.at can be found. Heat waves pose a particular danger because all-cause mortality is recorded on a study-based basis in many European countries, with mortality monitoring in Austria, for example, based on case-based mortality data and daily air temperature measurements.

Hot weeks are defined as weeks with nighttime temperatures above 18°C, while cold weeks have at least one day with temperatures below 0°C. These definitions and statistical models help to determine heat-related mortality on a small scale. The aim of these analyzes is to help authorities and healthcare providers to identify increased supply needs in a timely manner during hot periods.

Overall, the current debates about heat deaths and the corresponding data illustrate how important it is to make a well-founded assessment of the effects of climate change and to correctly interpret meteorological effects.