Belgium's official statistics agency reported 651 deaths on June 27, making it the country's second-deadliest day of the 21st century after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as an intense heatwave drove excess mortality across the country.

Figures released by Belgium's official statistics office, Statbel, showed that 651 people died nationwide on June 27.

The toll was surpassed only by April 10, 2020, when 675 deaths were recorded during one of the deadliest phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Belgium's public health institute, Sciensano, identified the June 17–28 heatwave as the deadliest heat-related event in the country over the past three decades.

The institute estimated that nearly 2,000 more people died than expected during the heatwave, representing an excess mortality rate of approximately 48 percent.

Authorities said temperatures remained above 30 degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days during the June heatwave, placing prolonged stress on vulnerable populations and contributing to the sharp rise in fatalities.(ILKHA)