Germany Reports 11,900 Heat-Related Deaths From January to July 2026

Germany recorded around 11,900 heat-related deaths during the first seven months of 2026, exceeding the annual total reported in every year since 2016, according to the Robert Koch Institute.

BERLIN — Germany recorded approximately 11,900 deaths linked to extreme heat between January and July 2026, as severe summer temperatures took a heavy toll on the country, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

The figure, reported by Germany’s leading public health agency on Thursday, Aug. 6, has already surpassed the full-year heat-related death toll recorded in every year since 2016.

A significant proportion of the deaths occurred during an intense heatwave in late June, when temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several parts of Germany.

Around 9,600 heat-related deaths were recorded during June alone, accounting for the majority of fatalities reported during the first seven months of the year.

Older people were particularly affected by the extreme temperatures.

According to RKI data, more than 6,000 heat-related deaths were recorded among people aged 85 and above, making them the most severely affected age group.

Another approximately 2,900 deaths were reported among people aged between 75 and 84.

The figures highlight the disproportionate impact of extreme heat on Germany’s elderly population as the country experienced unusually high temperatures during the summer.

The late-June heatwave pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several regions, contributing to a sharp rise in heat-related mortality and making 2026 one of the most severe years for heat-related deaths in Germany in recent years.

 

Source : Xinhua Thai News