Heat-related deaths surge across Europe in 2024
Iain Hoey
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Mortality data shows impact of heat
More than 62,700 people in Europe died from heat-related causes in 2024, Reuters has reported.
The news follows the release of research published in Nature Medicine by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).
ISGlobal researchers analysed daily mortality records from 32 European countries.
The study estimated that over 181,000 people died from heat-related complications across the summers of 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Between 1 June and 30 September 2024, the mortality rate rose by 23% compared with the same period in 2023, although it remained just below the 67,900 deaths reported in 2022.
Lead author Tomás Janos said: “This number is saying to us that we should start adapting our populations.”
Hottest summer on record
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed that 2024 was the hottest summer on record in Europe.
According to ISGlobal, two-thirds of the recorded deaths occurred in Southern Europe.
Italy, which has Europe’s highest proportion of elderly people and faced high temperatures in each of the three summers studied, recorded the highest absolute death toll each year.
Though 2025 was not part of the research period, the Italian Society for Emergency Medicine reported that emergency room admissions rose by up to 20% in certain regions during peak temperatures this year.
The organisation said the data indicated that Italy remains at risk, particularly for older populations.
Hospital systems under pressure
Alessandro Riccardi, president of the Italian Society for Emergency Medicine, told Reuters: “Patients who were already frail and suffering multiple ailments required more hospital care, which increased pressure on hospital services, as happens during periods of influenza surges.”
The organisation added that similar increases in admissions are expected during future periods of extreme heat.
The strain on hospitals during these periods has been likened to that experienced during infectious disease surges.
Variability across Europe
European health authorities provide heat warnings when temperatures are expected to meet national definitions of a heatwave.
These thresholds vary from country to country, reflecting differences in climate and population health.
Janos explained that heat-related mortality is evident even at temperatures as low as 24°C in certain populations and locations.
The study concluded that uniform strategies may be insufficient, and localised approaches may be required.
Revising past figures
ISGlobal acknowledged that its previous death counts for 2022 and 2023 had been underestimated.
The institute said those figures were initially calculated using weekly rather than daily mortality records.
Revised figures for those years were adjusted upwards following the latest analysis.
The researchers stated that accurate daily data is essential for assessing mortality trends.
Calls for long-term action
Gerardo Sanchez, an official at the European Environment Agency and a member of the expert group revising World Health Organization heat health guidelines, told Reuters: “Protection from heat needs to be treated as an essential medicine for those that need it the most.”
Sanchez said long-term investment is needed to strengthen Europe’s built infrastructure and improve access to cooling.
He added that the health risks linked to rising temperatures must be addressed with policy and infrastructure solutions.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The findings underline the health impact of environmental heat events.
Fire and safety professionals play a role in emergency planning and response during periods of extreme weather.
Awareness of local heat thresholds and vulnerable groups can support preparedness strategies.
The results also highlight the need for coordinated communication with public health authorities during heatwaves.
Heat-related deaths rise in Europe study: Summary
More than 62,700 people died from heat-related causes in Europe in 2024.
The study was conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).
Data was drawn from daily mortality records across 32 European countries.
The findings were published in Nature Medicine and reported by Reuters.
Over 181,000 deaths were recorded across the summers of 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Mortality rose by 23% between June and September 2024 compared with the same period in 2023.
Italy recorded the highest absolute toll, with two-thirds of all deaths occurring in Southern Europe.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that 2024 was the hottest summer on record in Europe.
The Italian Society for Emergency Medicine said hospital admissions rose by up to 20% during peak heat in 2025.
Heat-related mortality can occur at temperatures as low as 24°C for certain populations.
ISGlobal revised previous 2022 and 2023 mortality estimates upwards.
The European Environment Agency called for long-term investment in infrastructure and access to cooling.