BRUSSELS — Health authorities in Belgium and France are continuing to monitor the public health impact of an exceptional late-June heatwave after preliminary mortality data showed sharp increases in deaths during the period, with officials cautioning that the figures remain subject to revision as reporting is finalized.
Belgium's federal Risk Management Group said preliminary data indicated excess mortality of about 39% between June 18 and June 29, representing approximately 1,222 additional deaths nationwide. Officials said the increase included around 530 deaths among people aged 85 and older, while elevated mortality was also observed among people under 65. Authorities described the increase as unprecedented during a heatwave in Belgium and said additional analysis would continue as more complete data become available.
In France, Santé publique France reported that all-cause mortality rose by nearly 30% during the week of June 22-28 compared with the previous week, based on preliminary electronic death certificate data. The agency said deaths increased particularly among people aged 45 and older and noted that the figures underestimate total mortality because the reporting system captures only part of all deaths, especially those occurring at home.
French health authorities said a comprehensive assessment of excess mortality linked to the heatwave would be published after sufficient time had elapsed to consolidate national mortality data, in line with the country's Heat Wave and Health Alert System.
The World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe warned earlier this month that additional periods of extreme heat could place further strain on public health systems across the region. WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge urged governments to treat extreme heat as a public health emergency and strengthen preparedness measures to protect vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with chronic illnesses and outdoor workers.
Separately, EuroMOMO, the European mortality monitoring network, reported more than 10,000 excess deaths across 27 European countries during the late-June heatwave. Researchers said the largest increases occurred among older adults, while France and Belgium experienced some of the continent's highest levels of excess mortality during the episode.
Authorities in both Belgium and France continue to analyze updated mortality records, emphasizing that current estimates remain preliminary and that final assessments of the heatwave's health impact will be released after national death registration data are fully consolidated.
