BERLIN: Germany has recorded an estimated 5,120 heat-related deaths so far this year, with the vast majority occurring during a late June heatwave, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
In its weekly report released, the public health agency said about 4,270 of the deaths were among people aged 75 and older. Women accounted for more fatalities than men, largely because they make up a greater proportion of the country’s oldest age groups.
The figures come as Europe experiences one of its hottest years on record. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said Western Europe recorded its warmest June ever, with an average temperature of 20.74 degrees Celsius.
National authorities have also reported more than 4,700 excess deaths linked to the June 20-28 heatwave in France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands.
According to the RKI, Germany’s deadliest years for heat-related mortality over the past decade were 2018 and 2019, when an estimated 8,400 and 6,900 people died, respectively.
The rising death toll has intensified political debate over climate policy. During a parliamentary session, Green Party leader Katharina Droege said 120 people died in the western city of Cologne over the June 27-28 heatwave weekend about four times the normal number of deaths.
Droege criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz for not publicly addressing the heatwave and accused his government of weakening climate protection measures.
The Greens have also opposed the government’s proposed 2027 budget, arguing that it diverts billions of euros away from climate initiatives to help close budget deficits.
Germany aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% from 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. However, emissions have fallen by only about 48% so far, and experts say current policies are insufficient to meet the country’s climate targets.