Study: two heatwaves in May and June caused around 2,700 deaths in England and Wales

Climate change is no longer a distant threat — its consequences are being felt today in the form of abnormal heat that claims lives. Two heatwaves that hit the UK have served as a stark reminder that even a temperate climate is no protection against deadly temperatures. British scientists have estimated that around 2,700 people fell victim to the extreme weather, and that number could rise if no action is taken.

According to a study published on Monday in the UK, two heatwaves in May and June caused approximately 2,700 deaths in England and Wales. The research was conducted by Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Researchers used historical mortality data to model heat related deaths during two extreme heat periods in England and Wales.

Clare Barnes, a research fellow at Imperial College London specialising in extreme weather and climate change, said the findings serve as a stark warning that the UK is now facing truly dangerous heat. The study showed that human induced climate change significantly intensified the heatwaves, raising the risk of mortality. Barnes warned that current temperatures are a danger not only to the elderly or those with chronic illnesses — they now pose a real threat to public health as a whole.

The heatwaves that hit the UK in May and June were the most intense in recent years. Temperatures in some areas exceeded 30°C, which is unusual for the British climate. Researchers note that climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, is making such extreme events more frequent and intense. The Met Office had previously warned that by 2050, summer temperatures could become the norm, and heat related mortality would rise.

As CCTV+ reports. Experts are urging the government to accelerate the adaptation of infrastructure and healthcare systems to the new climate realities.