BRUSSELS, July 17. /Dunyo IA/. The record-breaking heatwave that swept across Western Europe in the second half of June caused at least 12,000 premature deaths, according to an analysis by AFP based on data from seven European countries, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The analysis covered Belgium, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland. Between June 22 and 28, when temperatures reached their highest levels, these countries recorded approximately 10,000 more deaths than would normally have been expected during the same period in previous years.

An additional 2,200 excess deaths were recorded in England and Wales between June 18 and 28, according to data from the United Kingdom’s Meteorological Office.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that many of these deaths could have been prevented. Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, noted that extreme heat should be viewed not only as a weather event but also as a public health emergency.

Older people were found to be the most vulnerable to extreme temperatures. The majority of heat-related deaths occurred among people over the age of 65. High temperatures can cause not only heatstroke but also worsen cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.