HEAT-RELATED DEATH TOLL EXCEEDS 16,000

BERLIN, SEPTEMBER 4 /SRNA/ - More than 16,000 people died as a result of extreme heat during heatwaves in Germany in 2026, the highest number since 2016, the Robert Koch Institute /RKI/ said.

As of September 3, the estimated number of heat-related deaths in Germany had reached 16,300. The majority of the deaths, approximately 8,200, were among people aged over 85.

Europe is facing one of the hottest periods in recent years, with Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece among the hardest-hit countries.

French authorities have said that the economic damage caused by the heatwave could reach as much as 15 billion euros.