
9 days · 3 summary articles
France records over 7,300 excess deaths amid historic summer heatwaves
Europe heatwave linked to 16,000 excess deaths as wildfires and drought grip continent
Europe braces for fifth heatwave as temperatures hit mid-30s in Britain and France
France has recorded more than 7,300 excess deaths during a historically hot summer marked by prolonged heatwaves, public health authorities announced on Wednesday.
The country has endured 52 days of heatwaves since mid-June, according to an analysis by Agence France-Presse of data from the national weather service Météo-France. This surpasses the 33 heatwave days recorded in 2022 and the 22 days seen during the deadly summer of 2003, the analysis showed.
France’s public health agency, Santé Publique France, reported 1,243 excess deaths between July 2 and 22, adding to 5,764 excess deaths from June 17 to 30 and 300 from a late May heatwave, for a total of 7,307. Nearly three-quarters of the excess deaths involved people aged 75 and over, though all age groups from 45 and above were affected, the health ministry said. The deaths were from all causes and cannot yet be definitively attributed to the heat, with final figures expected in the autumn.
The country has faced three successive heatwaves: a 14-day spell in June, 16 days in July, and another lasting 22 days that began in late July and had yet to be officially declared over as of August 18. France has had only two periods of respite, lasting three and eight days respectively, since the first heatwave began on June 17.
Beyond France, western Europe experienced its hottest start to summer on record, with recurring heatwaves in June and July causing widespread drought and devastating wildfires. Researchers have linked the marine heatwaves in Europe to global warming, warning that overheating seas threaten ecosystems and coastal communities .
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