Belgium recorded the highest excess mortality rate in Europe during the heatwave that swept across the continent in late June, according to EuroMOMO data cited by the Belgian public health institute Sciensano.
Sciensano said more than 2,000 additional deaths were registered during the June heatwave and the first few days of July, resulting in excess mortality of 48%.
The rate was well above the figures reported in neighbouring France and the Netherlands, where excess mortality stood at 23% and 13% respectively, despite broadly similar temperatures.
Belgian media cited biostatistician Geert Molenberghs of KU Leuven and Hasselt University as saying the death toll reflected clear socio-economic and regional factors, with poorer and more densely urbanised areas more exposed to dangerous heat.
Even Flanders, considered separately, recorded excess mortality of 31%, while Wallonia was particularly hard hit, according to earlier Sciensano figures covering the period from 18 June to 1 July.
The findings add to concerns that European cities and healthcare systems need stronger heat adaptation plans as climate-driven extreme temperatures become more frequent and severe.
South Korea and the United States are scaling back their annual joint military exercises following an order from U.S. President Donald Trump to sub...
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most s...
The United States is pushing to establish a formal deconfliction mechanism between Israel, Türkiye and Syr...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
South Korea and the United States are scaling back their annual joint military exercises following an order from U.S. President Donald Trump to substantially reduce American participation.
The United States is pushing to establish a formal deconfliction mechanism between Israel, Türkiye and Syria after Israeli airstrikes on a Syrian airbase raised concerns about the risk of a wider regional confrontation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has paused a planned 50 per cent tariff increase on Canadian goods for three days, saying Washington and Ottawa had reached a preliminary agreement.
A federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Ethiopian nationals living in the United States, removing one of the last major legal obstacles to a broader effort to roll back humanitarian immigration protections.
With governments focused on conflicts in the Gulf and Ukraine, China is pressing ahead with a more assertive military and strategic posture across the Pacific, particularly around its immediate neighbourhood.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment