At least 15,000 killed by Heat Wave in Europe this year : WHO

Tags: International News

The World Health Organization (WHO) on 8 November said, at least 15,000 people have died in Europe because of heat waves this year so far. 

Important facts

• According to reports recorded by health officials during the 3 months of summer, there have been nearly 4,000 deaths in Spain, more than 1,000 in Portugal, more than 3,200 in the United Kingdom and about 4,500 in Germany.

• The three months of June-August were the hottest in Europe.

• For example, France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) reported that more than 11 000 people died between 1 June and 22 August 2022, compared to the same period in 2019.

• Temperatures in Europe have warmed significantly over the period 1961–2021 at an average rate of about 0.5 °C per decade.

• According to a report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it is the fastest warming region.

• More than 148,000 people have lost their lives due to extreme temperatures in the European region in the past 50 years.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

• The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was founded on 7 April, 1948.

• Headquarters of WHO : Geneva, Switzerland

• Members : 194 countries

• Director General of WHO:  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus  of Ethiopia.