Belgium's public health institute, Sciensano, reported on Thursday that nearly 3,000 excess deaths occurred during the country's successive summer heatwaves. The announcement came days after the national weather agency confirmed that summer 2026 was the hottest on record in the northern European nation.
The deadliest period was between 18 June and 3 July, when Belgium experienced its first heatwave of the season. During those two weeks, the country recorded 2,035 more deaths than would normally be expected, an excess mortality rate of 49%. A second heatwave from 4 to 17 July added another 535 excess deaths. The third, which ran from 28 July to 16 August, saw 365 additional deaths, a 7% increase over the seasonal norm.
In total, Sciensano counted 2,935 excess deaths over the summer months. The institute described the final spike as "slight" but noted that it coincided with the beginning of Belgium's worst wildfire in modern history, which broke out in the southern Ardennes region.
Hottest summer on record
The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) said that temperatures at the official reference station in Uccle, on the outskirts of Brussels, averaged 20.3°C this summer—2.4°C above the mean of recent decades. That makes summer 2026 the hottest since records began, surpassing previous highs set in 2003 and 2018.
Belgium is the latest European country to see temperature records tumble this year. In late August, Germany reported around 14,000 heat-related deaths for the summer, according to official data. Spain's public health institute registered nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths since 1 June, while French health authorities recorded more than 7,300 excess deaths over the same period.
Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, making heatwaves more frequent and severe. The pattern is consistent across the continent, with the UK also confirming its hottest summer on record.
The health impact of these heatwaves is not limited to direct heatstroke. Excess mortality includes deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory conditions exacerbated by high temperatures, as well as accidents and other indirect effects. Vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are most at risk.
Belgium's experience mirrors a broader European trend. Spain's heat-related deaths reached a record high this summer, and the economic costs of heatwaves are mounting across the continent.
Public health experts are calling for better heat action plans, including early warning systems, cooling centres, and public awareness campaigns. The role of home cooling in preventing heat deaths has been highlighted by recent research, though access to air conditioning remains uneven in Europe.
As Europe braces for more frequent and intense heatwaves, the toll on human life is becoming a central concern for policymakers. The data from Belgium, Germany, Spain, and France underscores the urgent need for adaptation measures across the continent.
