June heatwave led to more deaths than expected
A recent analysis of figures from the summer period shows that last June's heatwave had a greater impact on public health than scientists had predicted. Between June 18 and July 12, significantly more people died in the region than during a normal period.
The data shows that there were 2,112 more deaths during these weeks than average. This amounts to a relative excess mortality of 31 percent. The predictive models used by researchers had not taken into account such a high number of casualties due to the extreme temperatures.
Especially vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with poor health, were at increased risk during the heatwave. The high temperatures persisted for a long time, preventing the body from recovering sufficiently from the heat. This placed an extra burden on the human body, which in many cases proved fatal.
The results of this study highlight how important it is to take the risks of heatwaves seriously. Experts are calling for improvements to current warning systems so that people can be better protected against extreme weather in the future. It is clear that current models must be adapted to changing climate conditions.