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Germany’s unprecedented toll of 16,000 heat-related deaths exposes the country’s vulnerabilities
October 3, 2026/
Because Germany’s federal states and municipalities are responsible for climate adaptation measures, while the federal government can intervene only after a crisis has occurred, no nationwide heat action plan has been developed.
According to the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute, which monitors public health and epidemics, heatwave-related deaths reached 16,000. Of these, data through September 13 show that “around 9,600” deaths occurred during the week of June 22, the hottest week ever recorded in Germany, and “around 4,200” during the three weeks from late July to mid-August.
