Berlin, August 14, 2026 — The Europe Today: Around 12,500 people have died in Germany due to extreme heat since the beginning of the year, according to estimates by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), surpassing the previous record recorded in 2018.
The RKI estimates that approximately 8,900 heat-related deaths were reported in Germany in 2018, making the current figure significantly higher and highlighting the growing impact of extreme temperatures on public health.
The most severe period was recorded from June 22 to 28, when around 9,600 people are estimated to have died as a result of the heat. During that week, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several regions across Germany.
Elderly people were particularly vulnerable to the extreme temperatures. According to the RKI estimates, approximately 9,400 of those who died during the period were aged over 75.
The latest figures have prompted authorities to consider additional measures to protect vulnerable groups from the health risks associated with extreme heat, amid increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
