Last week's unprecedented heat wave led to around 480 excess deaths in the Netherlands, Dutch health authorities said on Thursday.

  • Excess deaths in the week from June 22 to 28 were mainly among people aged 80 years and older.

  • Most were reported in the south and east of the Netherlands, where temperatures were highest.

  • During the heatwave, record temperatures for June were set in the Netherlands, of up to almost 40 degrees Celsius.

  • France earlier reported at least 1,000 excess deaths during the heat wave and said the actual toll would likely be higher.

  • Scientists have said the heatwave, which began on June 20, was ‌the most intense recorded in Europe.