Germany heat-related deaths reach 12,500 in 2026 through August 2, RKI says
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The Robert Koch Institute reported that about 12,500 people died from heat-related causes in Germany from week 15 through week 31 of 2026, up to August 2. The peak came in week 26, June 22–29, with an estimated 9,600 deaths, as temperatures at Coschen in Brandenburg reached a national record 41.7C during a European heat wave.
The Age Profile
The Robert Koch Institute found that 6,270 of the heat-related deaths this year were among people aged 85 and older. A further 3,110 deaths were recorded in the 75–84 age group, and 1,900 in the 65–74 group. Those three age bands account for around 11,280 of the estimated 12,500 deaths. The institute noted that elderly people remain the most affected.
June Heat Peak
Week 26, from June 22 to June 29, was the deadliest period, with an estimated 9,600 heat-related deaths. On June 28, the temperature at Coschen in Neissemünde, Brandenburg, reached 41.7C, a national record. The same heat wave affected much of Europe.
Decade Context
The 2026 toll of 12,500 through August 2 already exceeds the annual heat-related death totals reported for 2018 and 2019, which were 9,400 and 7,700 respectively. RKI data showed those years as the highest in the past decade before 2026. This year's deaths are concentrated among people over 65, as with previous heat waves.
What's Next
The Robert Koch Institute is expected to publish a revised estimate once final mortality data for August are processed. It remains unclear whether the full-season 2026 toll will rise further above the current 12,500 figure and how many deaths will ultimately be attributed to heat.
1 source
Germany heat-related deaths reach 12,500 in 2026 through August 2, RKI says
