The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced that more than 1,300 premature deaths related to high temperatures were recorded in Europe during a week of extreme heat.
"Since June 21, more than 1,300 premature deaths linked to high temperatures have been recorded in Europe," Ghebreyesus wrote on the X platform.
He added: "Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' because its effects are not always immediately apparent."
The Director-General of the World Health Organization noted that Europe is "the fastest-warming continent in the world," with its temperature rise rates being "twice the global average."
He stressed that "European homes, workplaces and schools were not built to withstand such temperatures."
Since mid-June, Europe has been experiencing an unusual heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in France, Spain, Italy, Britain and several other countries.
The international climate organization, World Weather Attribution, reported last Friday that the unprecedented heat wave affecting several European countries is the strongest in the history of meteorology on the continent .
Authorities declared red alert levels, closed schools, imposed restrictions on public events, and urged residents to stay away from open spaces.
