Germany records 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer as heatwaves scorch Europe

Germany suffered 14,000 heat-related deaths during this summer's intense heatwaves, according to official data released on Thursday. This figure represents a significant increase from the previous record high of 8,900 deaths in 2018, as reported by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's public health authority.

A substantial portion of the deaths occurred within a single week in late June, when temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius. Around 9,600 fatalities were recorded during this period, as stated by the institute.

The majority of heat-related deaths were concentrated in individuals aged 75 and older. While exposure to heat can directly cause death in some cases, such as heatstroke, in most instances, the mortality is a result of a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions.

It is important to note that heat is typically not listed as the underlying cause of death on a death certificate. Instead, statistical methods are employed to estimate the extent of heat-related fatalities. The institute highlighted that such deaths are often underestimated, as the direct link between heat exposure and death is not always apparent on medical records.