"This year, we have already witnessed more than 1,700 needless deaths in the present heatwave in Spain and Portugal alone," WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said in a statement. He stressed that exposure to extreme heat "often exacerbates pre-existing health conditions" and noted that "individuals at either end of life's spectrum—infants and children, and older people—are at particular risk. WHO Europe explained that the figure is a preliminary estimate based on reports by national authorities, and that the toll had "already increased and will increase further over the coming days". The true number of deaths linked to the heatwave won't be known for weeks, he said, adding "this scorching summer season is barely halfway done".