France records around 1,000 excess deaths in heatwave: Health agency

Nearly 1,000 more deaths than expected occurred during a record-breaking heat wave that has scorched much of Western Europe for days, French health officials said Sunday.

“Since June 24, approximately 1,000 additional deaths (unconsolidated figures) have been observed compared to the deaths recorded in the previous months,” Public Health France said in a statement.

The agency said areas under heat red alert were particularly badly affected, with 85 percent of the deaths being people aged 65 and over.

The sharpest increase was due to people dying at home, especially in the Ile-de-France region, which includes Paris and its suburbs, the agency said.

“This observation is a reminder of the need for solidarity measures for people who are isolated or experiencing deep loneliness, including in highly urbanized areas,” the statement said.

The agency emphasized that the figures are provisional and likely an underestimate.
Temperatures cooled across France on Sunday after days of challenging temperatures, with the mercury soaring above 40C in many areas.