France experienced a substantial surge in excess deaths as temperatures soared to unprecedented levels. Between Wednesday and Saturday, approximately 1,000 excess deaths were reported, as noted by Santé Publique France, the nation’s public health agency.
The increase in mortality was most prominent in the western and central regions of France. The agency’s data showed that 85% of the deceased were individuals aged 65 or older. However, a rise in deaths was evident across all age groups.
Although the final count will require months to determine, current figures remain significantly lower than those recorded during the 2003 heatwave, which saw an estimated 15,000 deaths.
The agency highlighted a marked rise in deaths at hospitals, nursing homes, and notably, at private residences, particularly in the Paris area. This trend underscores the importance of providing support to isolated individuals and addressing loneliness, even in densely populated urban settings.
Élisabeth Charrier, head of the national funeral federation, mentioned to Le Figaro, a French daily newspaper, that mortuaries reported high activity levels, focusing primarily in Paris. She noted that the city’s two facilities were operating at full capacity.
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