Heat killed an estimated 50,000 people in 854 European cities between June and August, the highest toll on record, according to research reported by The Guardian. The scientists attribute about 32,000 of those deaths, or roughly two in three, to human-caused climate change, up from around 40% at the start of the century.
Death rates were highest in Malta, Italy and Hungary, while the largest totals were in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the UK, where the study estimated 4,354 deaths. Naples was the worst-hit city. People aged over 85 made up almost half of the deaths.
Co-author Malcolm Mistry called the figures staggering. The researchers used past links between temperature and mortality to produce rapid estimates, and noted that their country totals differ from national health agencies' figures and do not cover towns and villages.
Source: The Guardian
