France Records Sharp Rise in Deaths as Record Heatwave Sweeps Europe

PARIS:France has reported a significant increase in deaths following a record-breaking heatwave that struck the country during the final week of June, with fatalities continuing to be reported.
According to France’s national public health agency, Santé publique France, **2,025 deaths** were recorded between **June 22 and June 28**, representing an increase of nearly **29%** compared with the previous week.
The agency said the figures are preliminary and based only on electronically registered death certificates, meaning the final death toll could be considerably higher.
French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the excess mortality primarily affected people aged **45 and older**, with those aged **65 and above** suffering the greatest impact.
She added that deaths occurring at home showed the sharpest increase, rising **91%** compared with the previous week. Fatalities in nursing homes increased by **37%**, while hospital deaths rose by nearly **20%**.
The **Paris metropolitan region** was among the hardest-hit areas, recording an increase in deaths of approximately **62% to 63%** during the heatwave.
Hospitals also experienced a surge in emergency admissions for heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke, dehydration, kidney failure, and cardiovascular conditions. Reports indicated that mortuaries in some regions also came under increased pressure.
On **June 24**, France recorded its hottest day on record based on the country’s average national temperature. Temperatures in **Paris** climbed to around **41°C**, while nearly half of the country was placed under the highest-level **red heat alert**.
Meteorologists said June 2026 was France’s hottest June since **1947**, with average temperatures approximately **3.8°C above normal**.
The extreme heat also affected other European countries. **Belgium** reported around **1,200 deaths**, while the **Netherlands** recorded nearly **480 deaths**, although authorities have not confirmed that all of the fatalities were directly linked to the heatwave.
Climate scientists and meteorologists say human-induced climate change has intensified and prolonged the heatwave, warning that such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and severe in the future. They have urged governments to strengthen public health measures, urban planning, and emergency response systems to adapt to the growing risks posed by climate change.