AKIPRESS.COM - More than 1,300 excess deaths caused by extreme heat have been recorded in Europe since June 21, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

He stated that roughly 150 million people are currently suffering from the extreme temperatures, leading to widespread school closures and power grids operating at maximum capacity.

Ghebreyesus emphasized that European homes, workplaces, and schools were simply not built to withstand such high temperatures. He noted that the WHO is working alongside its member states and partners to address the health threats posed by the extreme heat, and he urged European nations to implement specific action plans to protect public health.

According to the WHO chief, global warming and climate change mean that abnormal heatwaves now hit Europe much more frequently than in the past. He highlighted that the European continent is warming faster than any other region on the planet, experiencing a rate of temperature increase twice as fast as the global average.

The heatwave gripping the continent has impacted nations including France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany, where air conditioner sales have surged by more than 70%. In France, local authorities reported days ago that funeral homes were already becoming overwhelmed due to the spike in heat-related fatalities.