Nearly 10,000 heat-related deaths in Germany so far this year, says institute

An estimated 9,800 people across Germany have ​died so far ‌this year due to heat-related causes, said Germany’s RKI health body in its ‌weekly ​report on Thursday, ⁠as temperatures ⁠of more than 40 degrees Celsius are expected to hit several regions.

The ​largest proportion of heat-related deaths occurs in ⁠the age ⁠group of 75 ​and older, RKI said.

The mortality ​rate rises significantly during ‌weeks with average temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius, according to the ⁠institute.

“Consequently, we anticipate that heatwaves occurring this summer will similarly ⁠lead ‌to increased mortality,” ⁠it added.

In June, ​Germany ‌already experienced a ​record-breaking heatwave ⁠with temperatures of 40 degrees or more in many regions.