In July, in Italy, deaths of people over 85 due to heat increased by 8%, while in Germany 14,000 people have already died in the summer of 2026. The massacre of those over 85 is confirmed by data from the Ministry of Health reported by Repubblica, while the number of deaths in Germany is certified by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), according to which this is the record number of heat-related deaths in the last ten years. The estimate, contained in the latest weekly report of the institute published today, concerns deaths recorded up to August 9.
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Also in Germany, the most affected people were those aged 75 and over. According to the RKI, as many as 9,600 of the approximately 14,000 estimated deaths occurred during the 26th week of the year, between June 22 and 28, when in some areas of Germany temperatures exceeded 41 degrees. No other year in the last decade had recorded such a high number of heat-related deaths. The previous highest value dated back to 2018, with about 8,900 estimated deaths, followed by 2019 with 7,600 cases.
The RKI also emphasizes that these are conservative estimates and that the total number of heat victims in 2026 could therefore be even higher. Only last week the institute had estimated deaths at about 12,500.
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Relative to the population, the highest rates were recorded in Saarland, with about 46 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and in Rhineland-Palatinate, with about 42. Hesse was also particularly affected, with 31 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and Baden-Württemberg, with about 28.
The RKI specifies that heat-related deaths are calculated through statistical models, comparing mortality in summer weeks characterized by high temperatures with that of periods without heat waves. Heat, in fact, only rarely represents the direct cause of death, as in the case of heat stroke. More frequently, high temperatures aggravate pre-existing conditions, particularly cardiovascular, pulmonary, or renal diseases.
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