×

Heat wave caused some 480 excess deaths in Netherlands, health authorities say

By Thomson Reuters Jul 2, 2026 | 9:33 AM

AMSTERDAM, July 2 (Reuters) – Last week’s unprecedented heat wave led to around ​480 excess deaths ‌in the Netherlands, Dutch health authorities said on Thursday.

• Excess deaths in the ‌week ​from June 22 ⁠to 28 were ⁠mainly among people aged 80 years and older.

• Most were reported in ​the south and east of the Netherlands, ⁠where temperatures ⁠were highest.

• During ​the heatwave, record temperatures for ​June were set in ‌the Netherlands, of up to almost 40 degrees Celsius.

• France earlier reported ⁠at least 1,000 excess deaths during the heat wave and ⁠said ‌the actual toll ⁠would likely be ​higher.

• ‌Scientists have said the ​heatwave, ⁠which began on June 20, was the most intense recorded in Europe.

(Reporting by Bart MeijerEditing by Gareth ​Jones)