Wiesbaden. Almost 93,000 people died in Germany in October, significantly more than in the same months of previous years. The Federal Statistical Office put the number of deaths in Wiesbaden last month at 92,954. More people died this year only in March (93,631). In all other months since the beginning of the year, the number of deaths has been below 90,000, in June it was even below 80,000 with 79,261.

According to the information, the number of deaths in October of this year exceeded the average, also known as the median, for the years 2018 to 2021 for this month by 14,560 or 19 percent. However, there was an accumulation of deaths at the beginning of the month and a decreasing number towards the end of the month.

Causes not yet clear

According to the statistics authority, one reason for this development cannot be determined: the Covid 19 deaths had reached an interim high in the middle of the month, “but can only partially explain the difference”. In addition, the statistics do not yet contain all deaths in connection with the Sars-Cov-2 virus, since the relevant statistics from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) only lasted up to October 23.

The aging of the population also has “only a minor effect on the difference compared to the level of previous years,” it said. The results of the cause of death statistics, which will be available later, could provide information, it said.

RND/epd