The summer heatwaves of 2023 claimed the lives of nearly 47,000 people across Europe, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine. The Barcelona Institute for Global Health conducted the research, analyzing temperature and mortality records from 35 European countries. The study found that the majority of the deaths occurred during two intense periods of high heat in mid-July and August.

Southern European countries were hit the hardest, with Greece and other nations battling severe heatwaves. On July 18, temperatures in Sicily reached a scorching 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit). While the headline figure of 47,690 deaths is an estimate, the authors are 95 percent confident that the actual mortality burden lies between 28,853 and 66,525.

They emphasized that certain populations, particularly those in southern Europe, were most at risk.

Heat’s deadly toll in Europe

However, the study also revealed that heat-related deaths would have been 80 percent higher if European governments had not taken adaptive measures in the 21st century to cope with hotter summers.

The authors highlighted the importance of these historical and ongoing adaptations in saving lives. Despite the progress made, the researchers stressed the urgency for more effective strategies to further reduce the mortality burden of future heatwaves. They called for proactive measures to combat global warming and protect vulnerable populations.

Europe has experienced an increasing number of deadly heatwaves since the turn of the century, with the United Nations stating that temperatures are rising faster in the region compared to the rest of the globe. Scientists attribute the frequency, duration, and intensity of these heatwaves to climate change. The study serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of extreme heat on human lives and the need for continued efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.