France has recorded around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the record-breaking heatwave that has swept across Europe, according to the country’s public health agency. Officials warned that the figure remains preliminary and is expected to increase as additional information is collected from residential care facilities, nursing homes and private households across the country.
Sante Publique said most of the reported deaths involved people aged 65 and older, highlighting the severe impact of prolonged extreme temperatures on vulnerable groups. However, the agency stressed that the intense heat has affected people of all ages, placing widespread pressure on the country’s healthcare system and emergency services.
Health authorities continue to assess the full impact of the heatwave and believe the number of excess deaths will rise as delayed reports are verified. Meanwhile, officials are closely monitoring conditions across France while urging residents to remain cautious and follow public health advice until the threat from extreme temperatures fully subsides.
The deadly heatwave has also affected several European countries, breaking temperature records, disrupting electricity generation and damaging critical infrastructure. Scientists have described the event as the worst heatwave ever recorded in Europe, warning that climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events.
Although France’s weather agency said the worst of the heat has eased across much of the country, several northeastern regions remain under heatwave advisories. Health Minister Stephanie Rist warned that the effects of prolonged heat exposure could continue for up to 10 days after temperatures decline, emphasizing that the public health emergency has not yet ended.