Heatwaves caused 240 excess deaths in Brussels, more than 2,500 across Belgium

There were more than 200 excess deaths in Brussels and more than 2,500 across the whole of Belgium that can be attributed to this summer’s three heatwaves, according to new figures from Sciensano, the country’s health institute.

The first heatwave - from 18 June to 1 July - claimed the most lives with 1,747 more deaths than usual, representing an excess mortality rate of 47%. The figure for Brussels was initially reported as 159 excess deaths, but this has since been revised to 196, still the highest death toll during a heatwave since records began in 2000.

The toll from the second heatwave between 4 and 17 July came to 550 nationally, representing an excess mortality rate of 15%. This includes 310 deaths in Flanders, 198 in Wallonia and 42 in Brussels.

During the third heatwave from 28 July to 16 August, Sciensano recorded an excess mortality rate of 7% in Flanders (221 deaths) and 10% in Wallonia (171 deaths), but no increased mortality rate for Brussels.

The deadliest day of the summer was 27 June. Some 641 people died on that day alone, representing an excess mortality rate of 147%.

It is not only the elderly included among the heat-related deaths. A significant excess mortality was also observed among people under the age of 65.

According to Sciensano, how deadly a heatwave is depends, among other things, on the duration of the heat, the temperatures and ozone pollution.

To determine the excess mortality rate, Sciensano first calculates how many people would normally be expected to die, by region and by age group.

It then compared these figures with the actual number of deaths. A Sciensano spokesperson noted that these figures were interim and may still differ from the final result, which are expected by the end of the month.