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About 600 additional deaths were recorded in Switzerland between June and September during the country’s hottest summer since measurements began in 1864, according to Swissinfo.
Mortality data released by the Federal Statistical Office on Tuesday showed that the sharpest increase occurred during the first extreme heat spell in late June.
Early heatwave had greatest impact
Martina Ragettli, an epidemiologist at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, said early-season heat can be particularly dangerous because people have had less time to acclimatise to high temperatures.
After cooler conditions in July, Switzerland experienced another prolonged period of extreme heat in early August. People aged over 65 accounted for most of the excess mortality, while deaths among those under 65 also rose noticeably during the second heatwave.
Ragettli said the increase among younger people may have been linked partly to the return to normal work routines after the holiday period. Outdoor workers and people spending substantial time commuting may have had fewer opportunities to avoid high temperatures, she said.
She stressed that other factors, including the intensity and duration of the heat, may also have contributed.
Detailed analysis due in 2027
The statistics do not establish whether heat directly caused individual deaths, as fatalities may have been officially attributed to conditions such as heart or circulatory problems.
A more detailed analysis comparing mortality figures with temperature data is expected in spring 2027. At present, eight of Switzerland’s 26 cantons have comprehensive plans for responding to extreme heat.
