Heatwave drives 30% spike in weekly deaths across France

PARIS, July 03 (YPA) – France’s Public Health Agency announced on Friday that the number of deaths increased by 30% during the week of June 22–28, coinciding with a severe heatwave that swept across France.

In a new report, the agency said deaths rose by 29.1%, representing 2,025 additional fatalities compared with the previous week, while noting that the figure is likely an underestimate, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The data showed that the impact was most severe in Paris and its surrounding region, where deaths increased by more than 60%. Authorities linked the rise to the exceptionally high temperatures that persisted across the country for several consecutive days.

Health officials also said that a significant proportion of the deaths occurred in private homes and warned that health risks are expected to remain high as recurring heatwaves continue throughout the summer.