UK heatwave ‘made ten times more likely by climate change’ may have caused hundreds of deaths

The scene of a blaze in the village of Wennington, sparked by the heatwave

(Picture: Yui Mok/PA)

Hundreds of people may have died in last week's record-breaking heatwave in the UK which, a study has suggested, was made ten times more likely by climate change.

Although official figures are yet to emerge, the World Weather Attribution group has provided a warning that such events could be more likely in the future. A rapid analysis shows 840 more people than average died on July 18 and 19.