Over 2,700 People Died During Two-Month Heatwaves In England

At least 2,700 people are estimated to have died in England and Wales during two severe heatwaves that struck in May and June, according to a new study released on Monday. Researchers say the unusually early and intense periods of extreme heat highlight the growing health risks associated with climate change.

The study was carried out by experts from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who analysed weather data, climate models and previous research on excess deaths linked to heatwaves.

The United Kingdom, along with much of western Europe, experienced two record-breaking heatwaves during the period. England recorded monthly temperature highs of 35.1°C in May and 37.7°C in June, making them some of the hottest early summer conditions ever observed.

“They were extreme heatwaves for the UK, and for all parts of western Europe, and they’re particularly exceptional for the timing and how early in the year they occurred,” Mark McCarthy, science manager of the Met’s climate attribution team, was quoted as saying in the study.

According to the findings, approximately 550 people died due to heat-related conditions between 21 and 29 May, while nearly 2,200 deaths were recorded during the second heatwave between 18 and 28 June across England and Wales.

The researchers noted that the official number of heat-related deaths will be published in the coming weeks by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) after analysing certified death records from the recent heatwaves.

Lea Berrang Ford, head of the UKHSA’s Centre for Climate and Health Security, said the study demonstrates the growing danger posed by rising temperatures.

“The models in the study released Monday help illustrate the scale of risk associated with extreme heat and the growing threat climate change poses to our wellbeing,” said Lea Berrang Ford, head of UKHSA’s Centre for Climate and Health Security.

The report also links the deadly heatwaves to climate change, with researchers estimating that daytime maximum temperatures were 3°C to 4°C higher than they would have been without the effects of global warming.

The authors warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, making such events more dangerous for vulnerable populations.

Their concerns echo previous warnings from the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the independent body that advises the UK government on climate policy. Last year, the committee concluded that the country was “not ready” to cope with the impacts of climate change.

In a separate report published in May, the CCC estimated that 92 per cent of homes in Britain could become dangerously hot by 2050. It recommended that the government introduce maximum workplace temperature limits and invest in cooling systems for public buildings, including hospitals and schools.

The latest findings add to growing evidence that extreme heat is becoming a significant public health threat in the UK. As climate change continues to drive higher temperatures, experts say stronger adaptation measures will be essential to reduce future heat-related deaths and protect communities from increasingly frequent heatwaves.