Europe faces its deadliest summer on record due to heat

More than 50,000 people are estimated to have died in European cities during severe heat waves this summer, according to a new analysis released Friday by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The findings suggest that the summer of 2026 may have been the deadliest on record for extreme heat in the region.

The study analyzed temperature data from 854 urban areas across the 27 European Union member states, as well as the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland. These areas are home to approximately 40 percent of the combined population of the 30 countries.

Researchers estimated that heat-related deaths in the cities covered by the study reached their highest level since 2000.

The researchers noted that European cities have not yet adequately adapted to rising temperatures. They recommended expanding green spaces, reducing air pollution and improving access to medical services for people affected by extreme heat.

According to CCTV+, the findings highlight the need to strengthen measures to protect people from extreme heat as temperatures continue to rise across Europe.