Hottest day of 2022 saw 638 more deaths than normal in England

Experts call major spike in deaths on 19 July and following day ‘extraordinary data’ and a wake-up call over dangers of extreme heat

The hottest day on record last summer resulted in 638 more deaths in England than normal, according to official figures, which experts said show the danger that extreme heat and climate change pose to human life.

The following day, when temperatures remained almost as high, 496 more people died than would usually be expected.