Germany records around 12,500 heat-related deaths so far this year
Germany has recorded around 12,500 heat-related deaths so far in 2026, according to new data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The figure marks one of the deadliest heat seasons in the country’s recent history.
The vast majority of deaths were linked to an extreme heatwave in late June. During the week of June 22-28, temperatures climbed to around 40 degrees Celsius in many regions. The RKI now estimates about 9,600 people died in that single week alone. The previous estimate for that week was just over 5,000. 44095b22
The updated total for April 6 to July 26 stands at roughly 11,900. That already surpasses the previous worst year on record, 2018, when about 8,400 heat-related deaths were recorded. 5b22fe99
Older people were hit hardest. The RKI said most victims were aged 75 and older, with those 85 and over the most affected. More women died than men, largely because women make up a larger share of the very elderly population. 5b22fe99
The institute warned that mortality rises sharply once weekly average temperatures exceed 20 degrees Celsius. During the late June heatwave the nationwide average hit 26.4 degrees. With more heatwaves expected this summer, the RKI anticipates further increases in deaths. 5b22bc43
Germany’s numbers are part of a wider crisis across Europe. Western Europe just had its hottest June on record with an average of 20.74 degrees. Other countries including France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands also reported thousands of excess deaths during the same period. fe99