Extreme Heat Wave Kills Almost 10,000 People in Germany

Extreme heat has claimed nearly 10,000 lives in Germany in 2026, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which operates under the country's Federal Ministry of Health. As of July 19, the number of deaths linked to heat-related causes had reached approximately 9,800. Most of the fatalities occurred in late June, when Germany was hit by an intense heat wave that pushed temperatures to nearly 40°C (104°F). Elderly People Most at Risk The institute concluded that the majority of deaths resulted from the combined effects of extreme heat and pre-existing chronic medical conditions. Most victims were women aged 85 and older.