Heatwave Hits England and Wales, Study Estimates Over 2,700 Deaths in May and June

(Central News Agency, London, 13th – comprehensive international report) A UK study released today estimates that heatwaves which hit England and Wales in May and June resulted in over 2,700 deaths.

According to AFP, experts from Imperial College London, the UK Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine used weather data, climate models, and research on excess mortality during heatwaves to arrive at this estimate.

The UK and most of Europe experienced two unprecedented heatwaves in May and June, with England recording record high temperatures of 35.1°C in May and 37.7°C in June.

Mark McCarthy, Scientific Lead of the Climate Attribution team at the UK Met Office, stated in the study: 'These were extreme heatwaves for the UK and all of Western Europe, and particularly rare given how early in the year they occurred.'

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will also release official estimates of heat-related deaths in the coming weeks based on mortality records from the recent heatwaves.

Lea Berrang-Ford, Director of the Centre for Climate and Health Security at UKHSA, noted that the model used in today’s study 'helps illustrate the scale of risks associated with extreme heat and the growing threat climate change poses to human wellbeing.'

The study estimates that high temperatures caused approximately 550 deaths in England and Wales between May 21 and 29, and nearly 2,200 deaths between June 18 and 28.

The study authors also emphasize that under climate change, heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent. (Intern translator: Chen Hsiang-yun / Editor: Hung Pei-ying) 1150713

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