Netherlands records more than 900 excess deaths during heatwave

The Netherlands registered more than 900 excess deaths in late June and early July as a heatwave affected western Europe, health authorities said Wednesday.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, known as RIVM, said the cause of the deaths was unknown but that it was highly likely heat played a role. The institute said the country recorded 911 more deaths than usual from June 22 to July 5.

People aged 80 and over were especially affected, as were people living in the south and east of the Netherlands, where temperatures were highest. Temperatures neared 40C in some areas.

The report makes the Netherlands the latest country to report higher mortality during recent European heatwaves. Estimates have also pointed to thousands of excess deaths in Belgium, Britain, France and Spain.

The World Weather Attribution group of scientists said the June heatwaves would have been virtually impossible without climate change.