More than 1,200 excess deaths were recorded in France during the country's July heatwave, bringing the provisional death toll from extreme temperatures this year to 7,300.
France recorded 1,243 excess deaths between 3 and 22 July during the second heatwave of the summer, bringing the provisional number to 7,300, according to figures published on Wednesday by the country’s national public health agency, Santé Publique France.
The rise in “all cause” mortality cannot yet be attributed with certainty to the heat, and a final assessment of mortality will be published in October.
The deaths in July come after 5,764 excess deaths were recorded between 17 and 30 June, and 300 during the first heatwave of the year from 24 to 28 May.
Almost three-quarters of the excess deaths recorded in 2026 “concern people aged 75 and over”, although the increase affected “all age groups from 45 and over”, the health ministry said.
The July heatwave “was less intense but nevertheless quite remarkable for its duration and geographical extent, since 78 departments were affected”, Sébastien Denys, director of health, environment and work at Santé Publique France, said.
The affected areas accounted for almost 80 percent of the population of mainland France.
“All cause” deaths increased in 2026 across all types of locations, including hospitals and elderly care homes. However, Santé Publique France said a “notable" number of people dying at home had been observed.
Denys said some 80 percent of death certificates received during the period were for deaths that occurred at home.
France has experienced a record 52 days of heatwaves since mid-June.
Western Europe experienced its hottest start to the summer on record, with June and July reaching record temperatures amid successive heatwaves, widespread drought and wildfires, all exacerbated by climate change.
(with AFP)
