PARIS: French health authorities confirm that over 900 additional deaths have been linked to a record-shattering heatwave that has battered the country since June 24, 2026, classifying it as one of the most lethal early summer conditions in recent years.
An extra approximately 1,000 people have died between June 24 and 27 than previously expected, preliminary mortality figures from the country’s health monitoring institute, Public Health France, show.
Those aged 65 or over made up the bulk of the victims, many of whom died at home or at retirement homes, and health workers say the number of fatalities may increase further once more comprehensive mortality data is compiled.
The unprecedented heatwave, in which temperatures topped 40 °C (104 °F) in some areas of France and most of Western and Central Europe, led to overwhelmed hospitals, overworked emergency crews, and damaged electricity systems, as well as transport networks.
France’s emergency workers reported that they responded to over 122,000 calls linked to heat, and authorities continue to advise residents to seek shelter indoors during the hottest hours and ensure they are hydrating sufficiently.
Hot weather extremes have also been experienced in other countries in neighbouring nations, with heat records broken in Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.
The extreme heatwave is happening simultaneously with widespread droughts, resulting in several dangerous wildfire events, and damage to vital infrastructure, such as energy facilities, and significant consequences to agriculture. In some regions of France and Belgium, intense thunderstorms have followed the stifling heat.
Climate scientists and the World Health Organization say global heating fuelled by human activities has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in Europe.
Europe, particularly, is poorly equipped to deal with heat, as its systems are not designed to handle prolonged periods of extremely hot temperatures
