Milan Suffers Highest Excess Deaths in Europe During Heatwave, Report Reveals

Milan: Milan experienced the highest number of excess deaths in Europe during a recent 10-day heatwave, as per a report published on Tuesday. The report details the severe impact of the extreme temperatures that swept across the continent, highlighting Milan as the most affected city.

According to Ansa News Agency, a rapid study conducted by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and reported by Greenpeace, found that climate change was responsible for an estimated 317 excess deaths in Milan. Other cities also impacted included Barcelona with 286 excess deaths, Paris with 235, London with 171, and Rome with 164. The study further reported 108 excess deaths in Madrid, 96 in Athens, 47 in Budapest, 31 in Zagreb, 21 in both Frankfurt and Lisbon, and 6 in Sassari.

The study attributes approximately 1,500 of the estimated 2,300 heat-related deaths, or 65%, directly to climate change. It suggests that without the warming effects of burning fossil fuels, there would have been about 1,500 fewer excess deaths. This indicates that a significant portion of the mortality during the heatwave can be linked to climate change.

The findings underscore the significant impact of even relatively small increases in temperature, which can lead to a spike in mortality rates, particularly affecting individuals with pre-existing health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Researchers note that heat-related deaths often occur in private settings such as homes and hospitals, making them less visible and underreported.

The study highlights that older individuals, particularly those aged 65 and over, were disproportionately affected, accounting for 88% of excess climate change-related deaths. This demographic is increasingly vulnerable to premature death as heatwaves become hotter, longer, and more frequent due to fossil fuel emissions.

While older adults are most at risk, researchers caution that all age groups are susceptible to the dangers of heat. The study estimates 183 deaths among people aged 20 to 64. Notably, Madrid experienced the highest percentage of deaths attributed to climate change, with around 90% of fatalities linked to the intensified heat, which surpassed critical temperature thresholds for heat-related mortality.