Over 1,300 people across Europe have died in a single heatwave this June, according to the World Health Organization, as temperatures pushed past 40°C in multiple countries. The WHO chief, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called heat stress a "silent killer" and warned that European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for such temperatures.
A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather, often accompanied by high humidity. In Europe this June, countries including Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, France and Italy have smashed all-time temperature records. Germany recorded 41.7°C in the east of the country, Poland hit 40.5°C, and the Czech Republic recorded 41.1°C. The UK also saw its hottest June day on record, reaching 37.3°C in Santon Downham.
“Explains causes, deaths, and mental health impact of European heatwaves.”
The WHO says Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, is making what were once "once-in-a-generation" heatwaves happen nearly every year. Dr Tedros has urged countries to implement "heat health action plans" to protect their populations.
For UK readers, the practical impact is serious. The heatwave is linked not only to physical health risks — especially for the over-65s, who accounted for a 40% rise in deaths at home in France — but also to mental health. Google searches for "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD) in the UK jumped 285% during the heatwave. Experts say extreme heat can trigger "summer SAD", a form of depression that affects around 10% of people with seasonal mood disorders. Symptoms include heightened emotions, tearfulness, irritability, anxiety, and decreased energy.
Q: What causes heatwaves? Heatwaves are caused by high-pressure systems that trap warm air in a region for days or weeks. Climate change is making them more frequent and intense because rising global temperatures increase the likelihood of extreme heat events.
Q: How many people die in European heatwaves? In this June heatwave, the WHO recorded over 1,300 excess deaths linked to high temperatures across Europe since 21 June. In France alone, there were around 1,000 extra deaths in one week. Most fatalities are among people aged 65 and over.
Q: Can heat affect your mental health? Yes. Prolonged heat can disrupt sleep, increase physical stress, and interfere with daily routines, potentially triggering "summer SAD" — a less common form of seasonal affective disorder. Symptoms include lethargy, stronger emotional reactions, and feelings of despair or guilt. The NHS recommends speaking to a GP if you experience depression symptoms in summer.
What happens next? The WHO is working with member states to prepare stronger health system responses. As climate change continues, such heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, making adaptation measures — from cooling centres to better building insulation — increasingly urgent.