Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg stated that 20 people died as a direct result of the heat in the Maltese islands in July 2026.

Minister Borg said that, according to information relayed to him by the National Mortality Registry, 20 people died "as a direct consequence of the heat in Malta and Gozo" in July this year.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted most of these patients had underlying medical conditions that may have contributed to their death that month. Borg did not clarify how many of these 20 people had underlying medical conditions, nor the specific conditions surrounding their deaths.

This information was given following a parliamentary question from Opposition MP Ivan Bartolo.

This past summer in the Maltese islands, particularly July and August, was characterised by intense heatwaves which brought with them a series of lengthy power cuts.

The heatwaves included the highest temperature ever recorded in July, according to the Meteorological Office, at 43.3°C, as well as the first time on record that local temperatures exceeded 42°C for three consecutive days. A Red Weather Warning - the highest-level warning - had been given by the Met Office during this time.

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli had attributed this summer's power outages to the intense heat endured and subsequent faults that followed to the country's distribution network as a result.

Ex-gratia payments for the power cuts were announced by government for consumers who experienced prolonged power cuts during July and August right as the summer closed in late September.