France reports sharp rise in deaths after record June heatwave

France recorded 2,025 more deaths during the peak week of its record-breaking June heatwave than the previous week, with health authorities saying the figure is likely an underestimate. © Jordan Tovin/ Reuters

France recorded a rise of nearly 30 percent in deaths during the week beginning 22 June, the peak of the country's record-breaking heatwave, the public health authority said on Friday.

Santé Publique France, the national public health agency, said a new report found "an increase of 29.1 percent, corresponding to 2,025 additional deaths compared with the previous week", while noting the figure was probably "an underestimate".