Belgium’s national health institute reports that nearly 3,000 excess deaths occur during a period of summer heat. Between June 18 and July 3, Belgium records its highest excess mortality, with 2,035 additional deaths—about 48.8% above expected levels.
Euronews adds that the figures come as Belgium experiences what it describes as its hottest summer on record. It cites statements from the national weather agency saying summer 2026 is the hottest on record, placing Belgium among European countries setting new temperature records this year. The outlets both frame the death toll as linked to extreme heat and present the health and weather assessments as complementary parts of the same broader episode.
While the sources differ in emphasis—one focusing on the excess-death count and timing, the other on the temperature record context—they align on the core point that Belgium sees a sharp rise in mortality during summer heatwaves.
