Relentless heatwave fuels excess mortality across Europe – WHO

More than 1,300 cases of excess mortality linked to extreme heat have been recorded across Europe since June 21, Director-General of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X.

Tedros noted that Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, with temperatures rising at twice the global average rate. Around 150 million people are currently living under conditions of extreme heat, while schools have been forced to close and energy systems are facing increased strain.

Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling.

Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the…

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 28, 2026

The WHO chief stressed that, because of climate change and global warming, heatwaves that once occurred only “once-in-a-generation” are now being experienced almost every year.

“Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” he added.

By Jeyhun Aghazada