Heatwave in France: Nearly 3,000 Deaths in One Region in a Week
Intense heatwave in late June led to nearly 3,000 excess deaths in Île-de-France, more than double the normal mortality rate.
A severe heatwave that hit France at the end of June has resulted in almost 3,000 deaths in the Île-de-France region alone in just one week, according to data from the French National Public Health Agency, as reported by Le Monde.
Between June 22 and 28, mortality in the region was 122% higher than expected under normal conditions. This figure is the most accurate assessment so far of the health impact of the June heatwave on the Paris region.
The intensity of this heatwave surpassed even the record-breaking heat of 2003, which until now was considered unprecedented.
Earlier this month, Santé publique France preliminarily estimated over 2,000 excess deaths across France due to the heatwave, with a national increase of about 30% and a 62% increase in Île-de-France. However, those estimates were based only on electronic death certificates.
French experts noted that the effects of heatwaves are not limited to immediate dehydration or hyperthermia; health deterioration caused by high temperatures can manifest several days later.
Earlier media reports indicated that the record heatwave affecting Western Europe in late June caused more than 10,000 deaths overall.
