Germany records 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer as heatwaves scorch Europe

Germany registered around 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer as Europe struggled through a series of punishing heatwaves, worse than a previous record high in 2018, official data showed Thursday. Around 9,600 of those deaths were recorded in one week in late June when Germany baked in temperatures of over 40°C, according to the Robert Koch Institute. The heatwaves and drought have fuelled a historically hot summer in Europe, contributing to a spike in heat-related mortality in the worst-hit countries. Spain's public health institute registered nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths since June 1, figures showed Thursday. French health authorities said they had seen more than 7,300 excess deaths over the same period. Read moreIn pictures: Drought exposes World War II ships, strands boats as Europe’s river levels plunge In Germany, the largest share of heat-related deaths occurred in the over-75 age group, the public health authority said in a statement. "In some cases – such as heatstroke – exposure to heat leads directly to death, whereas in most instances, death results from a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions," said its report. "Consequently, heat is n...