European countries have reported more than 10,000 excess deaths during the record-breaking heatwave that swept across western parts of the continent in late June, according to official data.

Figures published by the EuroMOMO network show that more than 9,000 of the excess deaths occurred among people aged 65 and over.

EuroMOMO compiles mortality data in cooperation with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Extreme heat can be fatal by causing heatstroke or by exacerbating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Older people are among the most vulnerable groups.

Scientists said the late-June heatwave would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change, which is making heatwaves more frequent and more intense.

The data cover 27 European countries. Particularly high excess mortality was recorded in Belgium and France, while Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland reported more moderate increases.