3,700 deaths... A tragic toll from the heatwave in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium

Heat waves are no longer just a seasonal phenomenon; they have evolved into a health and humanitarian crisis that is striking Europe at a heavy cost. Within days, an exceptional heat wave claimed the lives of thousands of people in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, while igniting wildfires, straining hospitals and power grids, amid warnings that the death toll could rise as data continues to be reviewed.

The three countries recorded at least 3,700 excess deaths during the heat wave that swept across the continent in June. According to a report published by Euronews based on official data, meteorological experts described the period between June 20 and 28 as one of the most severe heat waves in European history, having caused widespread disruptions in the health and energy sectors.

In France, the Public Health Agency announced a 29.1% increase in deaths between June 22 and 28, equivalent to 2,025 excess deaths compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, deaths in Paris surged by 62% during the peak of the wave, with projections indicating that final figures may rise further.

The wave’s impact extended to the south of the country, where widespread forest fires forced authorities to evacuate approximately 3,000 people, including hundreds from tourist camps. Two firefighters were injured during firefighting operations.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that climatic conditions accelerated the onset of fires by 15 days to three weeks earlier than their usual start date, noting that 7,000 forest fires had broken out since the beginning of the season, consuming 8,700 hectares.

In the Netherlands, health authorities reported approximately 480 excess deaths during the same week, most of them among individuals over the age of 80, particularly in the south and east where temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius.

In Belgium, the Ministry of Health recorded 1,222 excess deaths, a 39% increase between June 18 and 29. This included 530 people aged 85 and older, as well as approximately 180 deaths among those under 65. The ministry described the event as the result of an unprecedented heat wave in the country’s history.

According to an analysis by the French Press Agency, areas inhabited by approximately 410 million people—more than two-thirds of Europe’s population—experienced temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius at least once between June 15 and 30, indicating the expanding scope of heat wave impacts across the continent.