- Belgium recorded 39% more deaths than normal between June 18 and 29 during the heatwave.
- There were 1,222 excess deaths, nearly half among people aged 85 or older.
- Authorities called the level of excess mortality unprecedented for a heatwave in Belgium.
- Peak in excess deaths occurred on June 27 amid orange and red heat alerts and event cancellations.
- Temperatures included seven tropical days above 30C, 35C in Brussels, and local highs of 38C to 40C.
Belgium recorded 39% more deaths than normal between 18 and 29 June as a sweltering heatwave gripped much of Europe, health authorities said Friday.
The country saw 1,222 excess deaths during the period, of which nearly half were of people aged 85 or over, according to provisional data from the federal health ministry.
“Such a level of excess mortality during a heatwave is unprecedented in our country,” it said in a statement, noting that Belgium had recorded “seven tropical days of temperatures exceeding 30C” as well as “abnormally” warm nights.
The peak in excess mortality was reached on Saturday (27 June).
The previous day, most of the country had been placed under orange or red heat alerts, prompting authorities to cancel a slew of events including a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo.
While Belgium did not officially break its temperature records for June, readings hit 35C in Brussels for several consecutive days, and climbed locally to between 38C and 40C.
