France recorded a 29.1% surge in deaths during the hottest week of June's record-breaking heatwave, resulting in 2,025 excess deaths, according to Public Health France. The authority cautioned that the figure is likely an underestimate and expects the toll to rise further as data becomes more complete.
Excess deaths double initial estimates
The updated tally, covering 22-28 June, more than doubled the preliminary estimate of at least 1,000 additional deaths given just days earlier for the three hottest days. Public Health France reported 8,973 deaths for that week, compared with 6,948 the previous week, a 29% increase. The authority noted that the increase was concentrated among people aged 45 and over, with those 65 and older most affected.
Paris worst affected, home deaths nearly double
Deaths in the home saw the biggest increase, nearly doubling within a single week. Paris was the worst-affected region, with a 62% week-on-week rise in deaths. Nicolas Revel, director general of the Paris public hospital system, said he expects the death toll to be lower than the 2003 heatwave but probably higher than last year's extreme heat episode that claimed 5,700 lives.
Broader European impact
Belgium reported about 1,200 excess deaths between 18 and 29 June, with 530 among those aged 85 or older. The Netherlands recorded approximately 480 excess deaths, mainly among the elderly. All-time temperature records were broken in Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, and Hungary, while the UK and Switzerland saw June records. France experienced its hottest June since records began in 1947, averaging 3.8°C above seasonal norms, according to Météo-France.
Millions affected across Europe
More than two-thirds of Europeans experienced temperatures above 35°C during the June event, based on data from the European Drought Observatory and the Joint Research Centre. Areas inhabited by about 410 million people were affected, including almost the entire population of mainland France and over three-quarters of the combined populations of Spain and Italy.
