The economic losses caused by natural catastrophes in the world during the first half of this year reached 72,000 million dollars, according to a first estimate published this Tuesday by the reinsurer Swiss Re.
Though this figure is lower than that of the same period in 2021 (which was 91,000 million dollars)the Swiss group highlighted in a statement that the weight of so-called secondary disasters, which have less impact than major catastrophes such as hurricanes or earthquakes, is increasing.
“The effects of climate change are evident in the increasing number of extreme weather events, such as the unprecedented floods in Australia and South Africa”said Martin Bertogg, head of catastrophe coverage at Swiss Re.
Bertogg said that this situation confirms the trend observed over the last five years, which is “that secondary disasters generate insurance losses in every corner of the world.”
February winter storms in Europe cost $3.5 billion to insurance companies, according to estimates by Swiss Re, the group that fulfills the role of insurer of insurers.
The bill for flooding in Australia after torrential rains in February and March was $3.5 billion “for the moment,” the company said.
