June 2026 has been one of the hottest months on record across Europe, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels in multiple countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: this is only a preview of what is to come.
Dr Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, described the current heatwave as a 'dress rehearsal' for the summers ahead. 'Europe is warming at more than twice the global average,' Kluge said. 'Heatwaves are no longer one-off freak events. They are recurring crises, and they are becoming more frequent, stronger, and longer-lasting.'
Rising Death Toll Across the Continent
In France, more than 1,000 deaths have been reported since 24 June alone, with the majority among people aged 65 and over. Emergency calls have surged by up to 50% in some cities. Spain's mortality monitoring system has estimated 892 heat-associated excess deaths in June. The situation is particularly dire in southern Europe, where wildfires rage across southern Europe as Greece warns of toxic smoke.
Kluge warned that every summer without adequate preparation comes at a high cost. 'Every summer we fail to prepare for is a summer we pay for in lives,' he said.
Adaptation Measures Are Saving Lives
Despite the grim outlook, the WHO emphasizes that prevention works. According to Kluge, estimates show that heat-related deaths in Europe in 2023 would have been around 80% higher without the adaptation measures already in place. For people aged 80 or above, deaths could have been twice as high.
'Heat-health action plans, early warnings, cooling spaces, outreach to vulnerable people — these are not bureaucratic exercises. They are saving lives right now,' Kluge added. 'We need more of them, across all of the European Region.'
Countries like Spain are already bracing for more extreme conditions. Spain braces for second summer heatwave with temperatures up to 44°C, putting additional strain on health systems and emergency services.
The WHO's call to action comes as Europe faces a future of more intense and frequent heatwaves. The continent's warming trend, driven by climate change, demands a coordinated response from the 27 EU member states, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and the Balkans. Without sustained investment in heat-health action plans and public awareness, the death toll will only rise.
