The head of the European Office of the World Health Organization (WHO), Hans Kleuge, announced that 1700 people have died as a result of the current heat wave in Spain and Portugal.

A statement issued by him and published today, Friday, July 22, 2022 on the organization's website, said: "This year, we have witnessed 1,700 unnecessary deaths during the heat wave in Spain and Portugal only."

Kleugi also expressed his concern that forest fires are currently occurring even in the north, especially in Scandinavia, recalling that bushfires have destroyed 41 homes in London this week.