The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 1,300 excess deaths across Europe since June 21, as an intense heatwave continues to grip large parts of the continent and place growing strain on health systems and infrastructure.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Sunday that around 150 million people are currently living under extreme heat conditions. Writing on the social media platform X, he stated: “More than 1300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe.”

Tedros warned that Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, making it “the fastest-warming continent on Earth,” and emphasized that climate change is driving increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves across the region.

He noted that events once considered rare are now becoming a near-annual occurrence. “Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the ‘once-in-a-generation’ heat wave is now occurring nearly annually. We were warned,” he said.

Describing heat stress as a “silent killer,” the WHO chief warned that many homes, schools, and workplaces across Europe were not designed to withstand prolonged extreme temperatures.

Tedros also highlighted widespread disruption caused by the heatwave, including fatalities, school closures, and pressure on power grids. “Hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling,” he said, adding that the crisis is placing increasing pressure on public services across affected countries.

The WHO said it is working with member states and partner organizations to strengthen preparedness and improve health system responses to extreme heat events. National authorities across Europe are meanwhile attempting to adapt infrastructure and emergency systems to cope with sustained high temperatures as the heatwave enters its second week. (ILKHA)