European heatwave killed more than 19,000

MORE than 19,000 people died in a heatwave that baked much of Europe in August, placing it among the worst hot-weather disasters in a century, according to official estimates

The number of dead may be even higher, since a survey of a dozen countries found that two Spain and Germany have blamed only a fraction of summer fatalities on the heat so far.

The worst-hit country was France, which reported a staggering heatwave death toll of 14,802. Scientists at INSERM, the National Institute of Health and Medical Research, reached the figure by counting the number of deaths over and above what would be expected for the month of August.

The toll exceeds an earlier government count of 11,435, a figure based on deaths in only the first two weeks of the month, when Sahara-like temperatures gripped the Continent.

No comprehensive Europe-wide toll exists, and the dimensions of the tragedy may never be known since nations are using different measures to determine heat-related deaths. The French compared the spike in mortality rates this summer to last and attributed the full difference to the record heat.

Italy followed the same formula for counting heat deaths as the French. The Health Ministry said 1,176 more Italians died in the first two weeks of August in the nation's 21 largest cities compared to the same period a year ago. The number is likely to rise once figures are in for all of August.

The Spanish Health Ministry put its official toll at just 141, saying it counted only people whose deaths were specifically attributed to temperature-related conditions such as heatstroke. But the ministry also said there were 4,230 more deaths last month than in August 2002.

In Germany, only 40 people are on official record as dying from the heat. The medical division of the German Weather Service is still compiling a country total, although it is unclear whether the federal government will do the same.

However, a survey of government statistics offices, ambulance services and undertakers showed that at least 806 more people died in 15 major cities and two states in August 2003 than in the same month last year. Similar figures from the other 14 states were not available.

Despite difficulties in counting casualties, Europe's heatwave of 2003 stands as one of the deadliest weather phenomenon in the last century.

In its duration and in temperatures reached, the heatwave was France's worst, surpassing the previous hottest summer in 1947, according to Meteo France, the national weather service. The death count from that year was not available.

The relentless heat set new records across Europe. France experienced suffocating temperatures of up to 104 degrees. In the German city of Roth in Bavaria, the temperature hit nearly 105 on August 9. Britain's Meteorological Office recorded a high of 100.2 on August 10.

The intense heat caused billions of euro in damage, withering crops, sparking wildfires, decimating livestock and melting Alpine glaciers. But the greatest loss was human mostly the frail and elderly who died alone in their homes because they were unable to cope with the temperatures.