A heat wave in France may have caused more than 2,000 deaths

In France, officials estimate that the extreme heat may have caused more than 2,000 deaths in a single week. According to preliminary estimates, a significant number of these deaths may be directly linked to prolonged exposure to abnormally high temperatures.

According to data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), during the week of June 22–28, when France was experiencing extreme heat, the system received approximately 9,000 electronic death reports. This is more than 29%, or 2,025 cases, higher than the previous week. 

It is believed that these “excess” deaths are directly linked to the impact of the weather on people’s health. There was a particularly noticeable increase in the number of deaths among people aged 45 and older, as well as among those who died at home—compared to those who were in hospitals or nursing homes. 

“These figures may change—after all, they do not represent 100% of death certificates (for these dates—EP),” Health Minister Stephanie Rist noted during a television appearance. 

According to her, the Public Health Agency will have complete figures on “excess mortality” for these dates in approximately three weeks. 

This was reported by BFMTV.

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