Europe Hit by Consecutive Heatwaves: Netherlands Reports Over 900 Excess Deaths

Central Message

(Central News Agency, The Hague, July 15 – Comprehensive International Report) The Dutch health authority announced today that over 900 excess deaths were recorded in the Netherlands from late June to early July as a heatwave sweeps across Western Europe, making the country the latest to report a sharp rise in fatalities.

According to AFP, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) stated in a press release: 'The exact causes of death are still unclear, but high temperatures are very likely one of them.'

RIVM reported that between June 22 and July 5, 2023, 911 more deaths were recorded in the Netherlands than would typically be expected during the same period. People aged 80 and above were especially hard hit, as were residents in the southern and eastern parts of the country, where temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius.

Recent consecutive heatwaves across Europe are estimated to have broken multiple temperature records and caused thousands of excess deaths in countries including Belgium, the UK, France, and Spain.

The scientific group 'World Weather Attribution' stated that the June heatwave would have been 'almost impossible' without the influence of climate change. (Intern translator: Qiu Weizhen / Reviewer: Zhang Xiaowen) 1150716

Stand with the facts. Your support is the force that protects press freedom.

Download the Central News Agency 'First-Hand News' app to stay updated with the latest developments.

Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.