The World Health Organization says more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since 21 June 2026 during the record heatwave, with 88 per cent of those who died being elderly people found alone in private homes. Officials warn that most had no one checking on them, underlining why extreme heat is being described as one of Europe's 'silent' killers.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the figures on X, saying that 'hundreds have perished, schools are closed, and power grids are under strain' as around 150 million Europeans face extreme temperatures.
