France records more than 2,000 excess deaths at peak of heatwave as Europe braces for more extreme weather
France has recorded more than 2,000 excess deaths during the last week of June as a record-breaking heatwave swept across the country and much of Europe. The figures come as forecasters warn that further extreme temperatures are expected across the continent in the coming days. Officials said the spike in deaths coincided with France's hottest day ever on average nationwide, recorded on 24 June.
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Public Health France said deaths in the period from 22 to 28 June rose by 2,025, or nearly 30%, compared with the previous week. Health minister Stephanie Rist said there had been a clear increase in deaths among people over 45. The ministry also said the figure was likely to be an underestimate, meaning the final mortality toll could be higher than the initial count.
The heatwave brought temperatures of almost 41C to Paris and placed half of France under a red heat alert. Deaths in the Paris region rose by 62% alone, according to the figures released on Friday. The report also noted that drowning deaths increased during the heatwave, although no overall national breakdown was provided in the supplied material.
The latest figures underline the public health impact of extreme heat in Europe, which is warming faster than the global average according to the Copernicus climate service. That trend is contributing to more frequent summer heatwaves, greater pressure on water supplies and more intense wildfires. The current episode has already affected several countries, with Belgium also reporting more than 1,200 excess deaths during the same period of severe heat.
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Weather forecasters say a large area of high pressure is building from the Azores towards Portugal and Spain, with heat expected to climb across France and southern Britain by the weekend. Parts of the UK are also preparing for a third heatwave, while other regions of Europe remain on alert for further searing conditions. The broader pattern suggests the current heat event is not yet over, and health authorities may face additional pressure if temperatures remain elevated.
What remains unclear is how many of the excess deaths were directly caused by heat and how many were linked to other factors during the same period. The French health ministry said the initial figures were not final, and further updates may refine the scale of the impact. The next key development will be whether the forecast heat intensifies across western Europe and whether additional public health warnings are issued.
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