UK’s record-breaking heatwaves led to almost 3,000 deaths

New figures from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) reveal heatwave-related deaths in the UK have almost doubled this year compared to last summer.

One report estimates that 2,877 heat-related deaths occurred during heat waves in May and June alone.

This total also includes an estimated 753 deaths associated with the May heatwave (May 24-27) and 2,124 deaths during the June heatwave (June 21-28).

These figures are almost double those reported for the entire summer period from June to August last year.

The UKHSA report warns: “Although these figures remain provisional, they are already approaching the annual record UKHSA is reporting in 2022.”

The Met Office has confirmed that last month was the UK’s warmest June on record; temperatures reached 37.7°C at Lingwood, Norfolk, on the 26th. This exceeded the 35.6C set in 1957 and equaled the record set in 1976.

This year, temperatures reached 35°C for the first time in May, June and July of the same year, when scorching temperatures continued.

This year’s heatwaves forced many hospitals to declare critical incidents; This means they may not be able to provide normal safe services due to pressures on patient flow, bed capacity or staff due to the high demand for services.

London Ambulance Service recorded the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in its history in June; Health officials said this increase was “due to extreme heat.”

He said June 24 was his fifth busiest day ever, with 7,900 call and ambulance crews attending to nearly 3,600 patients in a single day.

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