Extreme Heat Wave Kills Almost 10,000 People in GermanyExtreme heat has claimed nearly 10,000 lives in Germany in 2026, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which operates under the country's Federal Ministry of Health. Most of the fatalities occurred in late June, when Germany was hit by an intense heat wave that pushed temperatures to nearly 40°C (104°F). Elderly People Most at RiskThe institute concluded that the majority of deaths resulted from the combined effects of extreme heat and pre-existing chronic medical conditions. Record Temperatures Across EuropeDuring one of the hottest days of the late-June heat wave, Europe recorded approximately 60 all-time temperature records. As of July 13, the total number of deaths attributed to extreme heat across Europe had reached at least 10,000.