WHO Chief Tedros Warns of Heat Deaths in Europe – Over 1,300 Additional Deaths Since June 21

In Germany, the German Weather Service measured a provisional peak of 41.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday in Neißemünde in the Brandenburg district of Oder-Spree. According to broadcaster Deutschlandfunk, it was the third consecutive day with a record value. "In Germany, the record value on Sunday was 41.7 degrees in Neißemünde in the Brandenburg district of Oder-Spree," the report stated. An all-time high of 41.1 degrees was also reported from the Czech Republic for the second consecutive day.

WHO: Europe Particularly Affected

The WHO chief pointed out that Europe is currently the region of the world most rapidly affected by climate change. "europäische Wohnungen, Arbeitsplätze und Schulen seien für solche Temperaturen nicht ausgelegt," Tedros wrote on X. Several countries responded to the wave with drastic measures: "Schulen seien geschlossen, die Stromnetze würden zusammenbrechen," Tedros said verbatim regarding the concrete consequences.

Heat Stress, the "Silent Killer"

The actual number could be significantly higher in the WHO chief's assessment. Tedros stated that around 150 million people are currently suffering from extreme heat. "Hitzestress werde oft als ‚stiller Killer‘ bezeichnet," he warned. The French health authority had also announced on Sunday that, according to preliminary data, around 1,000 more deaths than average had been registered during the extreme heat wave.

High Global Death Tolls

Tedros also emphasized the global dimension of the problem. "weltweit würden jährlich rund eine halbe Million Menschen an Hitzefolgen sterben," he wrote. The WHO sees an urgent need for action, as many of the heat-related deaths are preventable. "Viele dieser Todesfälle seien durch Schutzmaßnahmen vermeidbar," Tedros explained. He called on governments and authorities to strengthen protection concepts for vulnerable groups, such as elderly people, the chronically ill, and persons without air-conditioned living spaces.

Meanwhile, European weather services registered further records. In Germany, according to the German Weather Service, it was already the third consecutive day with a temperature record. The "unprecedented heat wave with record temperatures in Europe" extended over large parts of the continent and produced peaks in several countries over the weekend. Poland's national meteorological agency recorded a provisional 40.5 degrees in Slubice – a provisional temperature high for the country.