Heatwave kills over two thousand people in Bavaria, RKI estimates rise

The Robert Koch-Institut reports that 2,150 people in Bavaria died as a result of the summer heat between 6 April and 6 September, with the majority being elderly. This figure marks a substantial rise from the 410 heat-related deaths recorded for the comparable period last year. The institute provides a confidence range of 1,420 to 2,770 deaths, noting that weekly updates tighten the estimate as the underlying model learns from new data.

The spike in fatalities is linked to an intense heat wave during the week of 22 - 28 June, when temperatures topped 40 °C and broke multiple records. While Bavaria’s death toll is lower than in Baden-Württemberg (3,810), Hessen (2,260) and Nordrhein-Westfalen (2,860), it still represents a significant public-health impact. The institute explains that most heat-related deaths involve a combination of pre-existing conditions and high temperatures, often not listed as the primary cause on death certificates.