# Heat caused about 50,000 extra deaths in European cities

> Scientists estimate extreme heat caused about 50,000 extra deaths in European urban areas last summer.

Climate · published 2026-10-22 23:17 · https://nlnow.nl/a/record-50-000-heat-deaths-hit-european-cities-last-summer/

Extreme heat caused an estimated 50,000 extra deaths in European urban areas last summer, according to scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The study covers 854 urban areas in 30 countries, where about 40% of the population lives.

**Last summer's heat toll far exceeds earlier records** (estimated extra deaths; source: Imperial College London and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

- 2003: 28000
- 2022: 29000
- 2026: 50000

The researchers say about 32,000 of the deaths could be attributed to climate change.

Climate scientist Clair Barnes of Imperial College said: "We can be fairly sure that the summer of 2026 was probably the worst summer ever in a large part of Europe when it comes to heat deaths." She stressed that measures are needed to protect vulnerable people better. Researcher Pierre Masselot said: "It is becoming ever clearer that our cities are not well adapted to the increasing heat."

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