The 1,300+ figure is a WHO estimate of excess deaths (mortality above the expected baseline), not a certified count of deaths directly caused by heat.
The WHO count was provisional as of late June 2026; analyses based on national statistics published after the session date (CBC: more than 10,000 excess deaths; AFP analysis of 16 July 2026: at least 12,000 excess deaths across nine European countries) indicate the true toll was far higher than 1,300, so the claim's floor substantially understates the eventual magnitude.
The geographic scope is the WHO European region rather than strictly the EU-27.
Some corroborating sources (CBC, AFP analysis of 16 July 2026) were published after the session date of 2026-07-08 and could not have been known to the MEP; the WHO figure itself (28 June 2026) predates the session.
Sources
SecondaryFrance 24More than 1300 excess deaths have been recorded in connection with Europe's record-breaking heatwave since June 21, according to the World Health Organization... 'more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe', WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
SecondaryBBC NewsEurope's heatwave 'linked to 1300 deaths' as more records... WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded since 21 June 'linked to high temperatures in Europe'.
SecondaryEuronewsEurope has recorded more than 1,300 excess deaths since 21 June as searing temperatures gripped the continent, according to the World Health Organization.
SecondaryCBC NewsEuropean countries reported more than 10,000 excess deaths during the record-breaking heat wave that engulfed the west of the continent.
SecondaryFrance 24 (AFP analysis)At least 12000 excess deaths were recorded across nine European countries during June's heatwave, national statistics indicated.