Germany records nearly 10,000 heat-related deaths by mid-July
Nearly 10,000 people in Germany have died from heat-related causes by mid-July, making 2026 the deadliest year for heat fatalities since official records began in 2016, according to the country's public health authorities.
The Berlin-based Robert Koch Institute (RKI) – Germany's public health institute estimated that around 9,800 people had died due to extreme temperatures by July 19. The figure has already surpassed every previous annual total, including the former record of about 8,900 heat-related deaths recorded in 2018.
Officials said more than 5,000 of this year's deaths were linked to an intense heatwave during the second half of June, when temperatures climbed to nearly 40°C (104°F) across many parts of Germany. The institute estimated that around 7,900 heat-related deaths occurred between early April and July 12, with another 1,900 deaths recorded in the following week alone.
The data also showed that elderly people were hit the hardest. Around 7,880 of the victims were aged 75 or older. More women than men lost their lives, largely because women make up a larger proportion of Germany's oldest age groups. Health experts stressed that extreme heat rarely causes death directly but significantly increases the risk for people with existing heart, lung, and kidney diseases.
The prolonged heat is also creating major environmental and economic challenges. Low water levels on the Rhein (Rhine River) are threatening inland shipping, with water levels near the Kaub measuring station approaching the record lows seen in 2018. Although cargo vessels are still operating through the navigation channel, shipping companies have been forced to reduce cargo loads because of the unusually shallow water, raising concerns about further disruptions if the hot and dry conditions continue.