More than 2,700 died as a result of heatwaves in England and Wales, study finds

At least 2,700 people died in England and Wales because of heatwaves in May and June, according to a study released Monday.

Researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine combined weather data, climate models and mortality studies to reach the estimate.

How many people died from the UK heatwaves?

Researchers estimate 2,700 heatwave-related deaths occurred in England and Wales during May and June. Around 550 deaths were linked to the heat between 21 and 29 May, and nearly 2,200 occurred between 18 and 28 June. The figures come from an early analysis, not official government data.

How extreme were the May and June heatwaves?

The UK and much of Europe experienced two unprecedented heatwaves during the period, with England recording monthly highs of 35.1°C in May and 37.7°C in June. Mark McCarthy, science manager of the Met Office's climate attribution team, said the heatwaves were extreme for the UK and all of western Europe. He noted they were especially unusual given how early in the year they struck.

What role did climate change play in the deaths?

The study's authors point to climate change as a key driver behind the intensity and frequency of the heatwaves. They estimate that maximum daytime temperatures were 3°C to 4°C higher than they would have been without global warming. Lea Berrang Ford, head of the UK Health Security Agency's Centre for Climate and Health Security, said the models illustrate the scale of risk from extreme heat and the growing threat posed by climate change.

Will there be an official death toll?

The UK Health Security Agency plans to publish its own estimate of heat-related deaths in the coming weeks. That figure will be based on official death records collected during the recent heatwaves, offering a more precise count than the early model-based estimate.

Is the UK prepared for future heatwaves?

The Climate Change Committee, which advises the government on climate policy, warned last year that the UK was not ready to handle the effects of climate change. In a report published in May, the committee estimated that 92 percent of British homes could become too hot by 2050. It recommended the government set maximum workplace temperature limits and invest in air conditioning for public buildings, including hospitals and schools.