Thousands died in England and Wales from recent heat waves: Report

Key Points:

• Over 2,700 heat-related deaths occurred in England and Wales during May and June heat waves, with the May event causing around 550 deaths and the June event about 2,200, according to a report by LSHTM, Imperial College London, and the Met Office.
• The heat waves broke long-standing temperature records, with the U.K. having a lower heat wave temperature threshold (77-82°F) compared to much of the U.S. (90°F or higher).
• The highest number of heat-related deaths were recorded in southeast England, London, and the West Midlands, with researchers noting that populations less accustomed to extreme heat may be more vulnerable.
• Approximately 42% of the heat-related deaths were worsened by human-caused climate change, which is increasing the intensity of heat waves and causing higher overnight temperatures that hinder recovery from daytime heat stress.
• Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, with countries like France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands reporting thousands of excess deaths during late June, highlighting the ongoing impact of climate change on extreme heat events.