Swiss Re CEO Andreas Berger warned that authorities underestimated the scale of risk posed by recent heatwaves as Europe records thousands of excess deaths, mainly among people aged 65 and older. France and Spain have been among the hardest hit. Berger said awareness must be raised and added it is too early to judge how the mortality surge will affect Swiss Re after a 9% rise in first-half 2026 net profit.
Swiss Re CEO: Heatwave Death Toll Underestimated as Europe Records Thousands of Excess Deaths
A man cools himself with water from the Fontana della Barcaccia during a heatwave in Rome, Italy, August 6, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Chieppa
ZURICH, Aug 9 — Authorities underestimated the human toll of recent heatwaves, Swiss Re chief executive Andreas Berger told Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, warning that awareness of heat-related dangers must increase as Europe faces a rising death toll from extreme summer temperatures.
Europe, the fastest-warming continent, has recorded thousands of excess deaths during a record-breaking heatwave, with the majority of victims aged 65 and over. France and Spain have been particularly hard hit in recent weeks.
A water buffalo wallows in the mud left behind after a lake dried out due to a heatwave that hit Europe, at a farm in Knicanin, Serbia, August 3, 2026. REUTERS/Zorana Jevtic
"The risk of heatwaves and the associated fatalities was underestimated," Berger said. "We need to raise awareness of the dangers arising from this."
Berger made the remarks after Swiss Re reported a 9% increase in net profit for the first half of 2026. He said it was still too early to determine how the excess mortality figures might affect the Zurich-based reinsurer's financial results.
Implications
The surge in heat-related fatalities highlights gaps in public-health preparedness, particularly for older populations, and underscores broader concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events across a warming Europe. Policymakers, public-health authorities and insurers may need to reassess risk models, improve early-warning systems and invest in prevention and adaptation measures.
(Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Alexander Smith)
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