Heat Wave Causes Excess Deaths in France

Between Wednesday and Saturday, France experienced approximately 1,000 excess deaths as temperatures reached record highs. This information comes from Santé Publique France, the national public health agency.

The agency noted a significant rise in deaths, particularly in the western and central regions of the country. The data compared daily death rates from these days to those in the preceding two months. Among the deceased, 85% were individuals aged 65 or older, yet all age groups saw some increases.

While the exact number of heat-induced deaths remains undetermined, the current figures are still much lower than the 2003 heat wave, which resulted in an estimated 15,000 deaths.

The recent rise in deaths mostly impacted hospitals, nursing homes, and homes, with a substantial increase observed in the Paris area. The agency emphasized the importance of aiding isolated individuals and those suffering from loneliness in urbanized locations.

Élisabeth Charrier, head of the national funeral federation, informed the French newspaper Le Figaro about increased activity in mortuaries. According to Charrier, facilities within Paris have been operating at full capacity.