Extreme heat killed more than 176,000 victims annually in Europe: WHO

Brussels: Extreme heat has killed more than 176,000 victims in Europe each year, with the region accounting for one-third of global deaths, Hans Henri P. Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Europe, said Thursday.

“Globally, approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year between 2000 and 2019, with the European region accounting for 36%, or, on average, 176,040 deaths every year,” said Kluge.

The WHO European region, with 53 member states, is warming at twice the global average rate, he said, and he indicated that the three warmest years on record in the region have all occurred since 2020, and the 10 warmest years have occurred since 2007.

“Over the past 20 years, there has been a 30% increase in heat-related mortality in the region,” said Kluge, underscoring heat stress as the leading cause of climate-related deaths, particularly affecting the elderly and pregnant women.

Kluge urged people to avoid strenuous activities during peak heat, keep homes cool, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable individuals.

“Take care of yourself and others, especially the elderly who spend much of their time alone,” he said.