Over 2,700 Deaths Linked to England's Recent Heatwaves

A study released by researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimates that at least 2,700 people in England may have died due to heat-related causes during heatwaves in May and June 2023. The study utilized data from the UK Met Office and U.S. weather data to model excess mortality, indicating that approximately 550 deaths occurred from May 21 to May 29, with nearly 2,200 deaths from June 18 to June 28.

The researchers emphasized that climate change has intensified and increased the frequency of heatwaves, predicting that maximum daytime temperatures could be 3°C to 4°C higher without global warming. The UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned that the UK is not prepared to deal with the consequences of climate change.

An official estimate of heat-related deaths will be published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) based on recent death records.