Heatwaves and droughts in Europe this summer caused more than 30,000 excess deaths

(Central News Agency, Paris, 22nd Comprehensive Foreign News Report) According to preliminary statistics, Europe has experienced waves of heat waves and droughts this summer, with excess deaths exceeding 30,000. Scientists believe these extreme heat and droughts are due to human-caused climate change.

Agence France-Presse reported that the European monitoring platform EuroMOMO estimated that the number of excess deaths in Europe exceeded 32,000 between mid-July and mid-August, and the summer is not yet over.

Although EuroMomo has not released details of the number of deaths in each country, health authorities in many countries have released preliminary statistical information, covering a similar period from the end of May to August.

Agence France-Presse combined these statistics and found that only eight countries and regions, including Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, had a total of 33,000 excess deaths or deaths directly related to high temperatures.

The last week of June appears to be the deadliest week of the summer, with almost 16,000 excess deaths, according to EuroMomo's latest weekly estimates.

This was followed by about 8,000 excess deaths in the first week of July.

The two weeks coincide with waves of unusual heatwaves in Europe this summer, as well as widespread drought that has provided extremely dry conditions ideal for wildfires to spread.

Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, with a population of about 82 million; official information shows that as of August 9, 14,000 people have died related to the heat wave.

Preliminary statistics from the French public health authorities show that between the end of May and July 22, 7,300 excess deaths were recorded.