France recorded a sharp increase in deaths during the country’s record-breaking June heatwave, with health authorities reporting more than 2,000 additional fatalities in a single week as extreme temperatures gripped much of the country.
According to Santé publique France, the national public health agency, 2,025 more people died during the week beginning June 22 compared with the previous week, representing a 29.1% rise in mortality. Officials warned that the figure is likely to be an underestimate, as data collection and reporting are still ongoing.
The increase in deaths was particularly severe in the Paris region, where mortality climbed by 62% during the same period. A similarly significant rise was recorded in the Pays de la Loire region in western France, highlighting the widespread impact of the prolonged heat across different parts of the country.
France experienced around 11 consecutive days of exceptionally high temperatures in June, with thermometers exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. The heatwave was among the most intense ever recorded in the country, placing heavy pressure on hospitals, emergency services and vulnerable populations, particularly older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
Health officials have continued to monitor the consequences of the extreme weather, stressing that final mortality figures are expected to change as additional information becomes available. They noted that while the heatwave was exceptionally intense, its overall impact is not expected to match the devastating toll of the 2003 heatwave, which claimed around 15,000 lives across France.
Nicolas Revel, director general of the Paris public hospital system, said he expects the final number of deaths linked to this year’s heatwave to remain below the 2003 disaster. However, he indicated that the toll will likely exceed last year’s heat-related fatalities, when approximately 5,700 people died during periods of extreme temperatures.
The latest figures have intensified political debate over France’s preparedness for increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves linked to climate change.
On Thursday, opposition lawmakers from the Green party submitted a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government, accusing it of failing to adequately prepare the country for rising temperatures and protect vulnerable communities during periods of extreme heat.
Government officials have defended their response, pointing to heat alerts, public health advisories and emergency measures introduced during the weather event. Health authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant during hot weather by staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun and checking regularly on elderly relatives and neighbours.
The June heatwave has renewed concerns about France’s ability to adapt to increasingly frequent episodes of extreme heat, with experts warning that stronger public health measures and climate resilience strategies will be needed in the years ahead.
