France records 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave

By Makini Brice

PARIS, June 28 (Reuters) – France has recorded more than 1,000 deaths during a severe heatwave sweeping Europe. The public health agency warned on Sunday that the real figure was likely to be higher.

Detailing the first count of excess deaths, Sante Publique said most of the deaths were from older people and that it expected the death toll to increase as more information became available about deaths occurring in nursing homes and homes.

Europeans are being forced to endure severe conditions during a record-shattering heatwave that has been linked to dozens of deaths, disrupted energy production and damaged infrastructure.

Scientists said the heat wave, which started on June 20, was the worst heat wave ever recorded in Europe, where the climate is changing faster than the global average.

EXTREME TEMPERATURES DECREASED IN FRANCE

The heat wave is moving eastward. But while France’s meteorological agency said extreme heat had eased in most parts of the country, some regions in the northeast were still under a heatwave warning.

Minister of Health Stephanie Rist told La Tribune newspaper that the effect of the heat wave could last up to 10 days after the weather subsides.

“The episode is not over yet,” the broadcaster told BFM.

Sante Publique said most of the deaths involved people aged 65 and over, but the health effects of extreme heat affected all categories of the population.

(Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Helen Popper)