Preliminary data reveals that the number of deaths in France increased by approximately 30 percent during the final week of June due to an unprecedented heatwave. Public health authorities have indicated that the actual number could be higher until full details are available. According to Public Health France, in the week starting June 22, there were 2,025 more deaths compared to the previous week, marking a 29.1 percent increase. The agency noted that as the current data is incomplete, the true impact may be even more severe. The Paris region was the most affected, with deaths increasing by 62 percent during the same period. The Pays de la Loire region also experienced a notable rise, as reported.
In June, France faced one of the fastest and most intense heatwaves in its history, lasting nearly 11 days. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country. Following this event, several political parties criticized the government for inadequate preparedness in addressing climate change. The Green Party even filed a motion of no confidence against the government.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated that this heatwave should not be directly compared to the devastating 2003 heatwave, which resulted in about 15,000 deaths, mostly among the elderly. Nicolas Revel, director general of the Paris public hospital system, explained that although the total deaths from this year’s heatwave are expected to be fewer than in 2003, the numbers could still surpass those recorded during last year’s heatwave.
