Heatwave in France: Mortality Rises by Nearly a Third
During a heatwave in late June, France recorded a nearly 30% increase in deaths, with Paris seeing a 62% rise. Politicians have criticized the government's response, and a no-confidence motion has been proposed.
Data from France's Public Health Agency shows that between June 22 and June 28, when the country was hit by an intense heatwave, the number of deaths increased by 29.1%. This represents 2,025 additional deaths compared to the previous week. The agency noted that this figure is likely an underestimate and the true impact could be higher.
The sharpest increase was observed in the Paris region, where mortality rose by 62%. A similar surge was recorded in the Loire region. These areas suffered from a prolonged heatwave that lasted about 11 days in June, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many places.
Politically, the government has faced criticism. Several politicians have accused the authorities of inadequate measures to cope with the rising temperatures. The Green Party on Thursday proposed a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government, arguing it has not done enough to protect the population from extreme heat.
