--- title: "Europe heatwaves caused at least 35,000 excess deaths" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/europe-heatwaves-caused-at-least-35000-excess-deaths" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/europe-heatwaves-caused-at-least-35000-excess-deaths" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/europe-heatwaves-caused-at-least-35000-excess-deaths.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/europe-heatwaves-caused-at-least-35000-excess-deaths" category: "Health" area: "European Union" published: "2026-08-25T11:45:53.903Z" source_reported: "2026-08-25T10:19:48.805Z" updated: "2026-08-25T11:45:53.903Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-25T12:45:45.102991+00:00" --- # Europe heatwaves caused at least 35,000 excess deaths *Germany, France, and Spain report over 25,000 additional deaths from summer heat.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Two outlets cite preliminary national data, one quotes the Robert Koch Institute and WHO. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The report clearly separates facts from comment and provides specific figures and dates. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate to the information presented. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - At least 35,000 excess deaths were recorded in Europe due to successive heatwaves this summer. - Germany, France, and Spain together reported over 25,000 additional deaths based on preliminary data. - Germany recorded an estimated 14,000 heat-related deaths between April and August. - The World Health Organization noted a more than 30% rise in heat-related deaths in Europe over the last two decades. Europe experienced at least 35,000 excess deaths during this summer's record-breaking heatwaves, according to data compiled from several European countries. This figure is considered a likely underestimate, as it covers only about half of the continent and does not yet include all of August's figures. Experts anticipate the number will increase significantly once final data is available. Preliminary national data from Germany, France, and Spain show more than 25,000 additional deaths. Germany reported an estimated 14,000 heat-related deaths between April 6 and August 9. Spain recorded 4,947 deaths attributed to heat between May and the current week. The World Health Organization stated in May that heat-related deaths in the European region have risen by over 30% in the past 20 years, a trend expected to continue due to the climate crisis and an aging population. ## Disagreement on data collection The methods for calculating and publishing heat-related mortality vary between countries. Spain and Germany use real-time modelling, comparing daily temperatures with mortality rates. However, final causes of death can take weeks or months to determine, and heat is rarely listed as a direct cause, often exacerbating pre-existing conditions like respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. ## What the coverage left out None of the reports analysed mentioned the specific context of a political proposal for a six-country European federation, which was the focus of the centre-rated outlet BFM TV. The left-rated outlet 444.hu and the unrated outlet ertnews.gr focused solely on the excess death figures from heatwaves. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 56% (5) - Centre: 44% (4) - Right: 0% (0) 12 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-25T12:45:45.102991+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-25T13:30:24.351Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report from 444.hu led with the overall figure of at least 35,000 excess deaths in Europe due to the summer heatwaves. It detailed preliminary figures from Germany, France, and Spain, exceeding 25,000 combined. The report highlighted Germany's estimated 14,000 heat-related deaths between April and August, citing the Robert Koch Institute. It also noted Spain's 4,947 heat-related deaths from May to the present week. The report included a statement from the World Health Organization about a 30% increase in heat deaths in Europe over 20 years and mentioned that the current summer was the worst on record for heat-related fatalities in Germany. The outlet also explained the difficulty in directly attributing deaths to heat, as it often worsens existing conditions. ### Centre - The centre-rated report from BFM TV, presented as a digest, focused on a proposal by former French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire for a federation of six European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands. The digest stated that these countries would retain national sovereignty but operate as a single state in certain areas. This report did not contain information about heat-related deaths. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 9 - unknown: 12 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [La Repubblica](https://repubblica.it/cronaca/2026/08/25/news/caldo_europa_italia_35000_vittime-425546268) — Hot, in Europe Already More than 35000 Victims: but Could Be Many More - [telex.hu](https://telex.hu/techtud/2026/08/25/legalabb-35-ezren-haltak-meg-hohullamok-miatt-europaban-augusztusig) — At Least 35,000 People Died in Europe Due to Heat Waves Through August - [BFM TV](https://bfmtv.com/economie/economie-social/union-europeenne/france-allemagne-italie-espagne-pays-bas-et-pologne-qui-fusionnent-une-capitale-unique-une-souverainete-economique-bruno-le-maire-detaille-son-projet-de-federation-a-six-pays_AV-202608250335.html) — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland that "Merge", a Single Capital, Economic sovereignty... Bruno Le Maire Details His Project of Federation to Six Countries - [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/eyropi-toulaxiston-35-000-epipleon-thanatoi-apo-ta-diadoxika-kymata-kaysona) — Europe: At Least 35,000 Additional Deaths From Successive Heat Waves - [Stirile Antena 1 Observator](https://observatornews.ro/eveniment/cel-putin-35000-de-morti-din-cauza-caldurii-in-aceasta-vara-in-europa-de-vest-664198.html) — The Silent Killer, at Least 35,000 Dead because of the Heat This Summer in Western Europe. - [ГОЛОВНА](https://glavcom.ua/world/observe/u-jevropi-za-chas-dvokh-poslidovnikh-khvil-speki-stalosja-shchonajmenshe-35-tis-nadlishkovikh-smertej-1138728.html) — Abnormal Heat Killed at Least 35,000 People in Europe This Summer - [www.cnews.fr](https://cnews.fr/monde/2026-08-25/plus-de-30000-deces-seraient-dus-aux-vagues-de-chaleur-cet-ete-en-europe-1909098) — More than 30,000 Deaths Would Be Due to Heat Waves This Summer in Europe - [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/ue/valurile-de-caldura-au-ucis-cel-putin-35-000-de-europeni-pana-in-prezent-bilantul-final-ar-putea-fi-insa-mult-mai-mare-3920465) — Heatwaves Have Killed at Least 35,000 Europeans so Far. The Final Toll Could Be Much Higher - [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/08/25/in-science/perivallon-b-science/thanatiforo-kalokairi-stin-eyropi-toulaxiston-35-000-epipleon-thanatoi-apo-kaysona-ti-isxyei-stin-ellada) — Deadly Summer in Europe: At Least 35,000 Additional Deaths From Heatwave - Which Countries Broke Records and What Is the Situation in Greece - [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/08/25/guardian-almeno-35.000-morti-in-europa-per-ondate-calore-di-questa-estate_5e38e071-f650-4fd8-af48-83bc70e86fca.html) — Guardian, 'at Least 35,000 Dead in Europe for Heat Waves This Summer' - [Gazeta.ua](https://gazeta.ua/articles/world-life/_na-tli-anomalnoyi-speki-zafiksuvali-35-tis-vipadkiv-nadlishkovoyi-smertnosti/1257288) — Against the Background of Abnormal Heat, 35 Thousand Cases of Excess Mortality Were Recorded - [וואלה!](https://news.walla.co.il/item/3863003) — Summer in Europe Continues to Break Records: At Least 35,000 People Have Died - [NEWS9 LIVE](https://news9live.com/world/europes-back-to-back-heatwaves-kill-at-least-35000-this-summer-germany-france-and-spain-worst-hit-3002305) — Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves kill at least 35,000 this summer; Germany, France and Spain worst hit - [Європейська правда](https://eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/08/25/7244130) — Europe Recorded 35,000 Excess Deaths During Heat Waves This Summer - [Ilta-Sanomat](https://is.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000012228032.html) — European Summer Heatwave: at Least 35,000 Deaths - [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/especiais/alteracoes-climaticas/2026-08-25-ondas-de-calor-ja-provocaram-mais-de-35-mil-mortes-em-excesso-na-europa-94eb643a) — Heatwaves Have Already Caused over 35,000 Deaths in Europe - [preventionweb.net](https://preventionweb.net/news/europes-silent-heat-death-toll) — Europe's silent heat death toll - [444.hu](https://444.hu/2026/08/25/35-ezres-tobblethalalozast-regisztraltak-a-hoseg-miatt-europaban) — 35,000 Excess Deaths Recorded in Europe Due to Heat - [Irish Times](https://irishtimes.com/environment/climate-crisis/2026/08/25/at-least-35000-excess-deaths-recorded-in-europes-back-to-back-heatwaves) — At least 35,000 excess deaths recorded in Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves - [Новое Время](https://nv.ua/ukr/world/countries/speka-v-yevropi-rekordna-smertnist-ulitku-cherez-chotiri-hvili-50635342.html) — At Least 35,000 People Died in Europe This Summer From Abnormal Heat - [Habertürk](https://haberturk.com/dunya/rekor-sicakliklar-avrupa-yi-vurdu-3907865) — Successive Heatwaves Hit Europe: At Least 35,000 More Deaths Recorded ## Questions **How many excess deaths were recorded in Europe due to heatwaves this summer?** At least 35,000 excess deaths were recorded in Europe due to successive heatwaves this summer. This figure is based on preliminary data and is likely to be higher as more comprehensive statistics become available. **Which countries reported the highest numbers of heat-related deaths?** Germany, France, and Spain together reported over 25,000 additional deaths based on preliminary figures. Germany alone estimated around 14,000 heat-related deaths between April and August, while Spain recorded nearly 5,000 between May and August. **Why is it difficult to directly attribute deaths to heat?** Heat is rarely listed as a direct cause of death. Instead, it often exacerbates pre-existing health conditions, such as respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, leading to fatalities that are then attributed to those underlying issues. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/europe-heatwaves-caused-at-least-35000-excess-deaths. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Europe heatwaves caused at least 35,000 excess deaths", https://mediabias.news/health/europe-heatwaves-caused-at-least-35000-excess-deaths