Folgen der Hitze: Rund 9.600 Tote allein durch extrem heiße Juni-Woche

In the summer of 2026, a heatwave claimed the lives of nearly 10,000 people in Germany, according to the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI). The week of June 22-28 saw around 9,600 heat-related deaths, as reported by the RKI in their weekly bulletin. Temperatures across the country soared to over 40 degrees Celsius, with the majority of heat-related fatalities occurring among the elderly population.

The RKI estimates that this year's total heat-related deaths could even surpass 11,900, making it the deadliest year since 2016. The extreme heat predominantly affected those aged 75 and above, with around 6,000 deaths occurring in this age group alone. Christian M. Schulz, an anesthetist and emergency physician, emphasized that tropical nights, which fail to drop below 20 degrees Celsius at night, pose a significant risk as they prevent the body from recovering.

Dehydration, especially in older people who may not feel thirsty, can lead to kidney failure or heart issues, contributing to heat-related deaths. The German government has been urged to take more robust measures to combat the health risks posed by extreme heat, with health organizations calling for the recognition of extreme heat as a serious public health threat.