An eight-day heatwave in June has claimed 3,700 lives across three European nations: France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The figures were revealed in a report by Reuters, citing official government data from the respective countries.

The unrelenting heatwave swept across Europe for eight days, from June 20 to June 28. Given Europe's typically temperate climate, the unprecedented temperatures triggered a massive surge in electricity demand.

Experts stated that the eight-day heatwave was the most severe ever recorded in Europe, disrupting power generation, damaging infrastructure, and overwhelming healthcare systems.

European meteorologists and climatologists attribute the extreme weather event primarily to global climate change.

Officials noted that the victims all suffered from pre-existing health conditions or medical complications, suggesting they might have otherwise survived had the heatwave not occurred.

The vast majority of the 3,700 excess deaths were recorded in France.

In a televised address on Friday, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated that the eight-day heatwave resulted in 2,025 excess deaths in France alone. She also highlighted a significant increase in the mortality rate among individuals over the age of 45 during this period.

"We believe the actual death toll is higher than the official numbers currently available to us," Stéphanie Rist added.

Meanwhile, according to data from the Belgian Ministry of Health, 1,200 excess deaths were recorded in Belgium over an 11-day period from June 18 to June 29. Among the deceased, 530 were aged 85 or older, 180 were under the age of 65, and the remainder were above 65.

In an official statement, the Belgian Ministry of Health said, "Excess mortality of this magnitude is unprecedented in our country. We have never witnessed such a high number of excess deaths in any previous summer."

In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Health reported 480 excess deaths during the eight-day heatwave in June, with the majority of the victims being over the age of 80.
Source: Reuters