Berlin, 20 August 2026
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has identified elevated mortality in Germany during the first week of August 2026 and attributes this to the heat wave at that time.
In its weekly heat report, the RKI points out that the death figures in the first week of August exceeded the statistically expected value for the season. The authority speaks of a measurable additional burden from the persistently high temperatures during this period.
According to the institute, older people and individuals with pre-existing conditions were particularly affected. The RKI notes that heat can place a considerable strain on the human body, especially when there is no adequate means of cooling down.