3,000 people died in Belgium due to abnormal heat

Abnormally high air temperatures caused a significant rise in mortality in Belgium this summer.

Between June 18 and August 16, the country recorded 2,935 cases of excess mortality, which is 22.6% higher than the expected figure.

This is stated in a new report by the Belgian institute of public health Sciensano.

The most severe was the first period of heat — from June 18 to July 3. During this time, 2,035 more people died in the country than is usually expected at this time of year. Thus, excess mortality reached 48.8%.

Especially high temperatures were observed starting on June 18. For ten days in a row, the maximum readings approached 30 degrees Celsius, and for three days the temperature rose to about 35 degrees. At the same time, abnormally warm weather persisted during the night hours as well, which significantly increased the strain on the body and did not allow it to recover fully.

According to Sciensano's assessment, the mortality level recorded in Belgium from June 18 to July 3 was the highest for the entire period of observations of the consequences of abnormal heat. Analysis of such indicators has been conducted in the country since 2000.

In subsequent periods, the heat was also accompanied by increased mortality, but its scale was significantly lower. From July 4 to 17, 535 additional deaths were recorded, which corresponds to an increase of 14.8%. Another 365 cases of excess mortality occurred in the period from July 28 to August 16 — the figure turned out to be 7% higher than expected.

The greatest vulnerability to extreme temperatures is traditionally shown by people over 65 years old.

At the same time, specialists note that the consequences of heat affect not only the elderly, since an increase in mortality was also recorded among representatives of younger age groups.

Abnormal heat this summer repeatedly engulfed various regions of Europe. According to the World Meteorological Organization data published in August, periods of extremely high temperatures are becoming ever more frequent, intense, and prolonged against the backdrop of global climate change.

Source: Reuters