A new study estimates that over 2,700 people died in England and Wales during heatwaves in May and June.
Researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine released the analysis on Monday. They used weather data, climate models, and excess mortality studies to reach their conclusion.
Of the estimated deaths, 42 percent are attributed to the extra heat caused by human-induced climate change. The UK and Europe saw unprecedented heat in May and June, with monthly temperature records broken in England.
"They were extreme heatwaves for the UK, and for all parts of western Europe," said Mark McCarthy of the Met Office's climate attribution team. "They're particularly exceptional for the timing and how early in the year they occurred."
The study estimates approximately 550 deaths occurred between May 21 and 29, and nearly 2,200 deaths between June 18 and 28. Researchers emphasize that climate change is making such heatwaves more intense and frequent.
The UK Health Security Agency will publish its official estimate of heat-related deaths in the coming weeks. The agency's head of climate and health security noted the models help illustrate the scale of risk and the growing threat from climate change.
The UK's Climate Change Committee warned last year that the nation is "not ready" for climate consequences. It recommended government action, including setting maximum workplace temperatures and investing in air conditioning for public buildings.