At least 3,500 fatalities are attributed to the June 2026 heatwave.

Omissions

• The claim understates the magnitude: by 3 July 2026, at least 3,700 excess deaths had already been recorded in just three countries (France, Belgium, Netherlands), and AFP's analysis of national statistics put the June heatwave excess death toll across nine European countries at at least 12,000 (published 16 July 2026, after the session date).
• A WHO-linked estimate as of 28 June 2026 (before the session) had already attributed around 1,300 deaths in Europe to the heatwave, a figure that was later revised sharply upward.
• Some sources published after 8 July 2026 (Euronews 13 July, France24/AFP 16 July) could not have been known by the MEP at the time of the speech, but the data they describe (June 2026) is from the correct reference period.

Sources

• SecondaryReutersAt least 3,700 excess deaths reported during heatwave in France, Belgium and Netherlands (3 July 2026).
• SecondaryDeutsche Welle (DW)At least 3,700 excess deaths have been recorded in France, Belgium and the Netherlands alone as a result of the June heat wave.
• SecondaryFrance 24 (AFP)At least 12,000 excess deaths were recorded across nine European countries during June's heatwave, national statistics indicated.
• SecondaryEuronewsEurope records 10,000 excess deaths during June heatwaves, new data shows; around 2,200 died between 18-28 June in England alone.
• SecondaryBBC NewsEurope's heatwave 'linked to 1,300 deaths' as more records fall, WHO says, as Germany hits record 41.7C (28 June 2026).