France records more than 5,000 deaths during June heatwave

More than 5,000 excess deaths were recorded in France during the severe heatwave that spanned late June and early July.

According to data released by France’s national health agency, Santé publique France, 21,674 total deaths from all causes were registered between 17 June and 2 July across the affected regions. Under normal conditions, statistical modeling projected approximately 15,910 deaths for that period, resulting in 5,764 additional or excess deaths, a 36 per cent increase above expected baselines.

Public health officials attribute the sharp rise in mortality to the intensity, early onset, and duration of the extreme temperatures, which affected 92 administrative departments representing nearly 98.5 per cent of the country’s population. Over half of the excess deaths occurred during the peak of the heatwave between 25 June and 27 June, with individuals aged 75 and older accounting for roughly two-thirds of the fatalities.

The Île-de-France region, which encompasses Paris, recorded the highest impact, experiencing nearly 2,000 excess deaths, an 80 per cent surge above normal levels.

The preliminary figures mark the highest excess mortality recorded from a heatwave in France since the historic 2003 heatwave. Authorities noted that the initial tally surpasses total summer heat-related excess deaths from the entire previous year, with consolidated final figures expected following the conclusion of summer health monitoring in the autumn.