Heat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warn

A staggering 50,000 people died in European cities this summer due to extreme heat, according to new research. Scientists attribute two-thirds of these deaths to climate breakdown, highlighting the severe impact of planet-baking pollution. From June to August, morgues and funeral homes were overwhelmed as an additional 32,000 lives were cut short in urban areas. Vulnerable individuals struggled with the intense heat during the day and lacked recovery time due to warm nights. The highest mortality rates were observed in Malta, Italy, and Hungary, with pre-existing health issues, loneliness, and poverty further exacerbating the death toll, underscoring the urgent need for climate action and support for at-risk populations.