London, United Kingdom – Web Desk: Nearly 2,700 people may have died across England and Wales due to two severe heatwaves that struck during May and June, according to a new analysis by leading UK climate and health experts.
Media reports said researchers from Imperial College London, the UK Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated that the unusually high temperatures led to thousands of excess deaths during the two heatwave periods.
The report estimates that around 550 deaths occurred during the first heatwave between May 21 and May 29, while approximately 2,200 deaths were linked to the second and more intense heatwave between June 18 and June 28.
Experts said temperatures reached 37.7°C in June, marking one of the hottest periods in nearly 50 years in the United Kingdom.
Professor Friederike Otto, a member of the research team, said most of the deaths occurred during the June heatwave when temperatures rose to exceptionally high levels. She stressed that extreme heat poses serious health risks not only to older adults and people with underlying medical conditions but also to otherwise healthy individuals.
Researchers warned that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and more intense, urging governments and the public to strengthen heat preparedness and safety measures.
According to the experts, both heatwaves were driven by a heat dome weather pattern, in which hot air becomes trapped over an area for an extended period. Such conditions significantly increase the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening medical emergencies.
