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Heatwave kills 2,700 in UK, 42% climate-linked

7/13/2026

Summary

Imperial Study Links

A study by Imperial College London estimated 2,700 heat-related deaths in England and Wales in May-June 2026, attributing 42 % to climate change.
Temperatures reached 35.1 °C in London in May and over 37 °C in East Anglia for three days in June, breaking records.
EuroMOMO reported over 10,000 excess deaths across 27 countries from 22 June to 28 June, while World Weather Attribution said the June heatwaves would have been impossible without climate change.

Summary

Heatwave Disrupts Europe

Power grids in affected nations suffered outages as temperatures peaked, prompting measures to keep hospitals and essential services running.
Schools in France, Spain and the United Kingdom closed for days during the late-June heatwave, disrupting education for thousands.
EuroMOMO said its excess-mortality data, which include all causes, show a reversal from 500 fewer deaths per week before the heatwave and warned provisional figures may be revised when national data arrive.

Summary

Heatwave Sparks Closures

Germany recorded 99 drownings in June, the most since 2003, over 90% male and 40 victims under 30.
Paris closed the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Musée d’Orsay early because of heat while many French towns cancelled fireworks on 14 July to curb risk after President Macron said most fires are human-caused.
In Almería, Spain, 600 of 1,600 evacuees returned home after a wildfire, though virologist Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt said no guidance was provided.

Summary

Heatwave Claims Lives

The Robert Koch Institute estimated 5,100 heat-related deaths in Germany by June 28, far above the 2,900 annual average for 2023-2025.
University Hospital Zurich and Ticino emergency departments saw a rise in heat-related illnesses in late June.
Swiss authorities and care facilities have deployed heat-warning systems and campaigns while increasing monitoring of elderly patients and urging hydration.
Heat-softened road surfaces caused temporary motorway closures and rail disruptions in several German regions.

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Imperial Study Links

A study by Imperial College London estimated 2,700 heat-related deaths in England and Wales in May-June 2026, attributing 42 % to climate change.
Temperatures reached 35.1 °C in London in May and over 37 °C in East Anglia for three days in June, breaking records.
EuroMOMO reported over 10,000 excess deaths across 27 countries from 22 June to 28 June, while World Weather Attribution said the June heatwaves would have been impossible without climate change.

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