In Belgium, during the heatwave between 18 June and 1 July, 1,747 more people died than usual, according to figures on excess mortality released today by government health science institute Sciensano. In Wallonia in particular, there were a strikingly higher number of deaths than normal. According to Sciensano, these are the highest mortality figures recorded during a heatwave since records began in 2000.
1,747 additional deaths during the last heatwave, highest excess mortality due to heat since records began
Colin Clapson
Published:
Last week, the figure stood at 1,222 extra deaths between 18 and 29 June, but these were provisional figures. Sciensano has now revised these figures upwards, including deaths up to 1 July.
Wallonia particularly badly hit
The difference between the regions is striking. In Flanders, 682 more people died than average during the heatwave, whilst in Wallonia there were 919 additional deaths. In Brussels, there were 159 additional deaths.
This is not just a significant difference in absolute terms. In percentage terms, too, there were far more so-called ‘heat-related deaths’ in Wallonia than in other regions. In Wallonia, 76 per cent more people died than the average. In Flanders, there were just over 31 per cent more deaths.
Sciensano emphasises that the heatwave affected all age groups. For example, there were also 280 additional deaths in the under-65 age group. In residential care homes specifically, there were 498 more deaths than usual during the same period. The deadliest day was Saturday 27 June, with 641 deaths – more than double the usual number.
Highest death toll during a heatwave
According to Sciensano, these are the highest death tolls ever recorded during a heatwave. During a previous heatwave, between 5 and 12 August 2020, there were 1,557 more deaths than usual for that period. Although that heatwave lasted two days longer, a lower excess mortality rate was recorded in absolute terms.
In percentage terms, too, the heatwave two weeks ago took the heaviest toll since records began in 2000. In total, 48 per cent more deaths than average were recorded across the whole country. Sciensano states that the death toll has never risen so sharply during any other heatwave.