Tue Sep 23 06:29:19 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that over 62,700 people in Europe died from heat-related causes in 2024. The study, based on daily mortality records from 32 European countries, estimates over 181,000 heat-related deaths occurred between 2022 and 2024. The summer of 2024 was the hottest on record for Europe, and Southern Europe saw two-thirds of the deaths. Italy had the highest death toll. Health officials are increasing heat warnings, but experts stress the need for long-term investment in infrastructure and access to cooling, particularly for vulnerable populations.
**News Article:**
**European Heatwave Claims Over 62,700 Lives in 2024, Study Finds**
**COPENHAGEN – September 23, 2025:** A new study published in Nature Medicine has revealed the devastating impact of the 2024 European heatwave, estimating that over 62,700 people died from heat-related causes across the continent. Researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), analyzing daily mortality records from 32 European countries, found that the summer months between 2022 and 2024 witnessed over 181,000 heat-related deaths.
The summer of 2024, the hottest on record for Europe, saw a 23% increase in mortality rates compared to the previous year, with Southern Europe bearing the brunt of the impact. Italy, with its large elderly population, recorded the highest death toll.
While health authorities are implementing heat warning systems, experts are calling for more comprehensive measures. “Protection from heat needs to be treated as an essential medicine for those that need it the most,” said Gerardo Sanchez, an official at the European Environment Agency.
The study highlights the urgent need for long-term investment in infrastructure improvements, including access to cooling solutions, to protect vulnerable populations from the escalating threat of heatwaves.
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