France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the blistering heatwave sweeping Europe, the public health agency Sante Publique said on Sunday, warning that the true figure was likely to be higher as more data becomes available.
Most Fatalities Among Older People
Detailing its preliminary count of excess deaths, Sante Publique said most of the fatalities involved people aged 65 and older. The agency expects the mortality rate to rise as more information comes in about deaths in residential care homes and private residences. The heatwave, which began on June 20, has been described by scientists as the worst recorded in Europe, where the climate is changing faster than the global average.
Heatwave Moving East, But Risks Remain
While France's weather agency said the extreme heat had diminished in most parts of the country, some areas in the northeast remained under a heatwave advisory. The heatwave has been moving eastward across Europe. Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune newspaper that the impact of the heatwave could linger for as long as 10 days after the weather had ebbed. "The episode is not finished," she told broadcaster BFM.
Wider Health Effects Across Population
Sante Publique noted that although most deaths involved older people, the health effects of the extreme heat affected all categories of the population. The heatwave has shattered temperature records, disrupted power generation, and damaged infrastructure across Europe. Scientists have linked the extreme weather to climate change, which is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the region.
The agency continues to monitor the situation and will update its mortality figures as more data is collected from healthcare facilities and death registries.
