Institute: More than 800 heat-related deaths in Germany so far in 2026

There have already been more than 800 heat-related deaths in Germany this year, not including the worst days of the heatwave, Germany's disease control and prevention institute, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said on Thursday. According to the estimates, around 500 people aged 85 or over had died as a result of the heat by June 21. Among those aged 75 to 84,the figure was around 190; among those aged 65 to 74, an estimated80; and among those under 65, around 40. Typically, mortality rates are significantly higher during summer weeks with an average temperature above 20 degrees Celsius compared with cooler summer weeks, according to the RKI's weekly report on heat-related mortality. 

The RKI said the average of day and nighttime temperatures for the week of June 15-21 was 21.1 degrees, which is above the threshold at which a noticeable heat-related rise in mortality is expected. The current RKI estimate covers the period from April 6 to June 21.The extreme heatwave in Germany did not begin across the country until the days following this period; initial data on heat-related deaths during this time will be presented next week. Direct recording is not possible 'In some cases, such as heatstroke, exposure to heat leads directly to death, whilst in most cases it is the combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions that leads to death,' the RKI stated.

For this reason, heat is not normally listed as the underlying cause of death on the death certificate. Instead, the extent of heat-related deaths is estimated using statistical methods. The analysis is based on data from the Federal Statistical Office on deaths and air temperature data from 52 weather stations operated by the German Weather Service (DWD), which have been averaged at federal state level. The figures for the last nine weeks may still be affected by late reports, the RKI said.