Heat kills 14,000 people in Germany during summer

Approximately 14,000 people died in Germany this summer due to heatwaves, a figure that significantly surpasses the previous record of 8,900 heat-related deaths recorded in 2018, according to official estimated statistics published yesterday. According to the weekly report issued by the Robert Koch Institute, the majority of heat-related deaths occurred among individuals aged 75 and older. The institute noted that 9,600 of the 14,000 deaths this year took place during the week from June 22 to 28, which saw a notable rise in temperatures across Germany. During this period, record-high temperatures were recorded, exceeding 41 degrees Celsius in some regions. Heat rarely causes death directly, as in cases of heatstroke; rather, in most instances, it contributes to mortality through a combination of factors, including high temperatures and pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or kidney diseases. Hence, the term “heat-related deaths” is used.