London (HRNW)- British experts have estimated that around 2,700 people may have died in England and Wales due to the severe heat waves experienced during May and June, highlighting the growing health risks associated with extreme temperatures.
According to media reports, researchers from Imperial College London, the UK Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine concluded in a joint analysis that thousands of additional deaths occurred during the unusually hot weather this year.
The report estimates that approximately 550 people died during the first heatwave between May 21 and 29, while about 2,200 deaths are believed to have occurred during the second and more intense heatwave between June 18 and 28.
Experts noted that temperatures reached 37.7 degrees Celsius in June, marking one of the highest readings recorded in the past 50 years.
Professor Friederike Otto, a member of the research team, said that the majority of deaths occurred during the June heatwave when temperatures reached unprecedented levels. She warned that extreme heat can pose serious health risks not only to older adults and people with existing medical conditions but also to otherwise healthy individuals.
Researchers cautioned that climate change is expected to make extreme heatwaves more frequent and intense in the future, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and precautionary measures.
According to experts, both recent heatwaves were primarily caused by a heat dome—a weather phenomenon in which hot air remains trapped over an area for an extended period. Such conditions can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening medical emergencies.
The researchers stressed that extreme heat should be regarded as a silent killer, capable of endangering the lives of both vulnerable populations and healthy individuals alike.
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