RKI reports 9,600 heat deaths in single June week, 11,900 total for 2026
Germany's Robert Koch Institute estimates 9,600 heat-related deaths in the week of June 22-28 alone, raising the 2026 total to 11,900 and surpassing every full year since 2016.
Revised death toll
The RKI's updated weekly report, published on August 6 in Berlin, estimates that approximately 9,600 people died from heat-related causes during the week of June 22 to 28, when temperatures across Germany hovered around 40 degrees Celsius. The figure is nearly double the institute's earlier estimate of more than 5,000 deaths for the same period. The revised count pushes the total heat-related death toll for 2026 to an estimated 11,900 as of July 26, covering the reporting period from April 6 to July 26. This already exceeds every single full year since 2016. The previous high was 2018, with around 9,000 (8,900 per Focus) heat-related deaths for the entire year.
Why the numbers arrived late
The RKI attributes the delayed visibility of the death toll to two factors. First, temperatures of this magnitude have rarely or never occurred in Germany before, making statistical models slower to capture the full impact. Second, state-level mortality data from the Federal Statistical Office is reported with a five-week delay, meaning the numbers only now fully reflect the estimated heat-related deaths. The RKI recalculates each week on an updated data basis, a spokesperson said. The estimates draw on mortality figures from the Federal Statistical Office and data from 52 weather stations operated by the German Weather Service (DWD). The RKI also estimates overall excess mortality at 14,600.
Who was most affected
Heat proved deadliest for older Germans. The 85-and-older age group accounted for roughly 6,000 deaths, the largest share. Nearly 3,000 of those who died were between 75 and 84 years old, about 1,800 were between 65 and 74, and approximately 1,100 were under 65. The RKI notes that a heat-related rise in mortality typically becomes visible once the weekly average temperature, combining daytime and nighttime readings, exceeds 20 degrees. During the week of June 22 to 28, the nationwide weekly average reached 26.4 degrees, well above that threshold, with all federal states recording mean temperatures above 20 degrees.
- 85 and older
- 6000 deaths
- 75-84
- 3000 deaths
- 65-74
- 1800 deaths
- Under 65
- 1100 deaths
Record-breaking June
The DWD classified June 2026 as the second-warmest June on record, with an average temperature of 19.5 degrees, surpassed only by 2019. The heat wave produced several extremes: the night of June 27 to 28 was the warmest night since records began, according to DWD data. On June 27 alone, 46 weather stations across Germany recorded temperatures above 40 degrees, with multiple readings exceeding 41 degrees.
- Start of RKI heat mortality reporting period
- Extreme heat week begins; temperatures near 40°C across Germany
- 46 DWD stations exceed 40°C; warmest night on record begins
- Extreme heat week ends; 9,600 heat-related deaths in this week alone
- End of current RKI reporting period; 2026 total reaches 11,900
- RKI publishes revised weekly report in Berlin
Calls for government action
The Bundesärztekammer, together with approximately 80 other European health organizations and several environmental groups, is demanding stronger measures from Germany and the EU. Their declaration calls for the climate emergency declaration to be translated into binding obligations and for extreme heat to be recognized as a serious health threat. The medical professionals are calling for care facilities, daycare centers, and schools to be made climate-resilient. BUND, Fridays for Future, Nabu, and other groups planned a protest on Thursday outside the Chancellery, demanding that Chancellor Merz convene a heat summit to coordinate federal, state, and municipal responses.
