More than 50,000 people are estimated to have died across Europe as a result of this summer’s record-breaking heatwaves, according to research.

In the UK alone, researchers estimate there were 4,354 excess deaths this summer.

The number of excess deaths across Europe is double the number recorded in 2025 and it is also far higher than the previous record of 29,000 deaths. This was recorded in 2022 when the continent also endured exceptionally high temperatures, with the mercury hitting 40 degrees celsius for the first time in the UK.

According to the Met Office the UK saw its hottest ever summer this year with five widespread heatwaves and 40 days where the temperature was above 30 degrees celsius. Mainland Europe experienced its third hottest summer, with temperatures particularly high in the south and west.

Researchers from Imperial College, London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) looked at 854 urban areas in 30 countries across Europe.…