France Death Toll Surges During June Heat Wave
PARIS (AP) — France recorded at least 5,700 more deaths than usual during a historic heat wave last month, the public health agency said Wednesday, sharply raising its forecast for the feared toll of record-breaking temperatures.
Public Health France said 21,674 deaths from all causes were recorded in heat-affected areas between June 17 and July 2. However, it was stated that if the heat wave had not occurred, much fewer deaths, that is, 15,910 deaths, would have been expected in the same regions, according to statistical modeling using data from previous years.
The difference between expected and actual deaths – 5,764 in total – was considered “excess” deaths during the heat wave, the agency said.
It said the excess mortality rate, with 36% more deaths than normally expected, was the highest from any heat wave since 2003. That year, a historic heat wave killed an estimated 15,000 people in France.
France recorded its hottest days ever (with a national average of 30 C (86 F)) on June 24 and June 25 this year; there were also record temperatures at night and peak temperatures well above 40 C (104 F) in many places.
The public health agency said just over half of the unexpected deaths occurred in three days from June 25 to June 27, during and immediately after that warmest period.
“This unprecedented event, characterized by its early onset, intensity and duration, exposed almost the entire population to extreme heat at a time when school and business activities were still in full swing,” the agency said.
It’s all been said, across EuropeExtreme temperatures that hit exceptionally early and hard this year led to more than 10,000 deaths than normally expected at the height of the heatwave, according to figures still emerging on the continent.
This is what the Paris region in France looks like hardest hitThe French health agency said 1,999 unexpected deaths were recorded; This figure is about 80% higher than expected without the heatwave.
Directors of funeral services in Paris said they were struggling to find places to store bodies before burying or cremating them. some morgues They said they were full and had to turn away the bodies.
Almost half of the more than 21,600 people who died died in hospitals. patient fluctuations Suffering from heat-related illnesses. About a third of cases died at home, with the rest being deaths in nursing homes, mostly for older people, the agency said.
The agency’s latest estimated death toll, which it said would be updated with more complete data later in the year, was much higher than the initial numbers it gave. there was previously reported Nearly 2,000 additional deaths occurred from all causes during the week between June 22 and June 28; This is also the peak of the heatwave in France. Broke temperature records In many other parts of Europe.
Experts warn that it will take some time for the full picture to emerge and that many heat-related deaths will never be officially recorded as such. For example, a heart attack, which can be triggered by exposure to extreme heat, especially in people who are elderly or have underlying health conditions, may be listed simply as a heart attack on the death certificate.
