BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An intense heatwave in Belgium

caused significantly more deaths than usual in June, health authorities said

Thursday, revising previous figures, the highest excess mortality ever since

records began in 2000.

The country saw 1,747 excess deaths during the June 18 to July 1 period, the

Sciensano public health institute said, up from the 1,222 estimate for June

18-29 published last week.

That was an excess mortality rate of 47 percent, it said.

Although Belgium did not officially break its temperature records for June,

readings hit 35C in Brussels for several consecutive days, and climbed

locally to between 38C and 40C.

The peak in excess mortality was reached on June 27 and 28.

A new heatwave is expected in Belgium in the coming days, with highs

potentially exceeding 30C for five consecutive days starting Saturday.

BSS/AFP/SSS/1628 hrs