The new research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed but was accepted for publication, suggests that climate change is responsible for two-thirds of the deaths

October 26, 2026 10:47 a.m.

Spain was one of the hardest-hit countries during Europe's summer heat waves. Marcelo del Pozo via Getty Images

Western Europe faced its hottest summer ever this year. And it was the third toastiest summer on record for the entire continent, which is warming faster than any other. Now, scientists have calculated a death toll from the season’s sweltering temperatures: more than 50,000 people across the continent’s cities.

The estimate , which has not yet been peer-reviewed but is slated to be published in the journal Nature Health , marks a new record for heat-related deaths in Europe, nearly doubling the toll of the last two deadliest summers in 2022 and 2003.…