Abu dhabi: More than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since 21st June as a result of the ongoing heatwave, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that around 150 million people are living under extreme heat, with schools closed in some areas and electricity grids under pressure.
According to Emirates News Agency, WHO is collaborating with member states to enhance preparedness and health system responses, urging European countries to implement heat health action plans. Several European countries, including France, Spain, Italy, and the UK, have experienced temperatures above 40°C since mid-June, as the heatwave continues to affect large parts of the continent.
The WHO has warned that climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent and severe.