Europe heatwave death toll rises as France records about 1,000 excess deaths

Weather

PARIS, France (NPA) — European health authorities have warned of mounting casualties as a record-breaking heatwave continues to grip much of the continent, with France reporting about 1,000 excess deaths since June 24.

According to Public Health France, most of the deaths involved people aged 65 and above, particularly in areas placed under the highest-level red heat alert.

The agency said the sharpest increase was recorded among people who died in their homes, especially in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris.

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“This observation serves as a reminder of the need for measures of solidarity toward people who are isolated or experiencing profound loneliness,” the agency said, noting that the figures remain preliminary.

The extreme weather has swept across western and southern Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in parts of France, Spain and Italy.

Spain’s heat monitoring system attributed more than 200 deaths to heat-related illnesses within four days, while the United Kingdom issued rare red weather warnings as London and Birmingham experienced unusually high temperatures.

Italy placed up to 17 cities under maximum heat alert, while Germany and several Scandinavian countries braced for what meteorologists described as record-breaking June temperatures.

Governments across Europe have stepped up emergency measures to protect vulnerable populations and ease pressure on healthcare systems.

France activated its ORSAN emergency health response plan, mobilising hospitals and opening cooling centres for residents.

Spanish authorities deployed additional medical teams and advised elderly people and other vulnerable groups to remain indoors during the hottest periods of the day.

In the United Kingdom, authorities shortened school schedules and introduced travel restrictions in some areas to reduce heat-related risks.

Across the European Union, climate adaptation measures, including shaded walkways, urban cooling centres and other heat-mitigation projects, are being tested as governments respond to increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Although temperatures eased slightly across parts of France on Sunday, health officials warned that climate change is making prolonged and intense heatwaves more common.

Authorities cautioned that the death toll could continue to rise as the continent grapples with one of the most severe heatwaves in recent history, which has already claimed hundreds of lives across Europe within the past week.