{
  "id": 16158349,
  "title": "Europe's heatwaves this summer caused 50,000 excess deaths, report suggests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/europes-heatwaves-this-summer-caused-50-000-excess-deaths-report",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-23T05:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2026/10/23/europes-summer-heatwaves-caused-50000-excess-heat-deaths/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This summer, Europe experienced its hottest on record, leading to an estimated 50,391 excess heat-related deaths across 30 countries, according to a report from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The researchers compared deaths from June 1 to August 31 with similar data from 2000 to 2021, finding this year's toll was higher than any previous year. The peak occurred in late June when temperatures were more than 5°C above the 1991-2020 average. Elderly individuals faced the greatest risk, with an estimated 6,000 under 65 years old dying due to heatwaves. Major economies like Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and the UK recorded the highest numbers of excess deaths. The study also found that two-thirds of the excess deaths could be linked to global warming caused by burning fossil fuels. Dr. Claire Barnes, co-author of the report, called for targeted interventions to protect people during future heatwaves, emphasizing the severe impact on public health. The findings highlight the urgent need for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate further warming. The UK government's approval of the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, while criticized by environmental campaigners, reflects the country's efforts to balance energy needs with climate goals. Heatwaves have also strained British hospitals, with demand and strain comparable to a severe winter virus season. Hospitals lack adaptation to rising temperatures, risking equipment and patient safety.",
  "summary": "Europe's hottest summer on record may have killed more than 50,000 people across 30 European countries, researchers have found, as they called on governments to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Scientists from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine examined excess heat deaths in 854 cities in Europe from June 1 to August 31 this year, comparing it to data…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}