European Heatwave Caused 2,300 Deaths in 10 Days, Study Finds

LONDON — A powerful heatwave that swept across southern Europe in July 2023 led to more than 2,300 excess deaths over 10 days, with about 1,500 of those deaths directly linked to human-induced climate change, according to a new study published Wednesday.

Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the World Weather Attribution group found that climate change raised temperatures during the heatwave by as much as 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) above historical norms.

The team analyzed temperature records and mortality data from Italy, Greece, Spain, and several Balkan countries during the July 12–22 period, when temperatures soared above 45 °C (113°F) in some regions. The heatwave — one of the most intense in recent European history — was worsened by prolonged drought conditions and stagnant air masses.

“This is one of the clearest signals we’ve seen of the deadly toll that climate change is already taking in Europe,” said Dr. Joan Ballester, lead author of the study and climate-health researcher at ISGlobal.

The study found that countries like Italy and Greece, which experienced the highest temperature spikes, saw the largest increases in heat-related mortality. Many of the victims were elderly people, particularly those with preexisting conditions or lacking access to cooling or healthcare.

Researchers concluded that nearly two-thirds of the excess deaths could be attributed directly to the increased temperatures made more likely and more intense by climate change.

“This level of heat would have been extremely rare without the influence of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Friederike Otto, climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-author of the report. “What used to be extreme is now becoming the new normal.”

Europe is warming at roughly twice the global average, with record-setting summer temperatures and heatwaves becoming increasingly frequent and intense in recent years.

The study's authors called for urgent investments in heat preparedness, including improved public health systems, urban cooling strategies, and early warning systems, to prevent future loss of life.

GAROWE ONLINE