Over 62,700 Europeans died from heat in 2024, the hottest summer on record, driven by climate change.

Over 62,700 Europeans died from heat-related causes in 2024, making it one of the deadliest summers on record, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. The research, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, found a 23.6% increase in heat-related deaths compared to 2023, with the elderly and women disproportionately affected. Southern and southeastern Europe, particularly Italy, Greece, and Spain, saw the highest death tolls and rates, driven by record-breaking temperatures and climate change accelerating regional warming. The study highlights the urgent need for better early warning systems, improved urban planning, and expanded access to cooling resources to protect vulnerable populations amid increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.