More than 2,000 people died in France during the final week of June as a record-breaking heatwave swept across Europe, while the UK braces for another spell of searing temperatures that could push the mercury above 30C in London.
France recorded 2,025 excess deaths between 22 and 28 June – a 29% rise on the previous week – the Public Health France agency said on Friday. The health ministry described the figure as likely an “underestimate”, warning mortality would “therefore be higher than these initial figures”.
“France recorded 2,025 excess deaths during June heatwave as UK heat health alert extended.”
Stéphanie Rist, the French health minister, said there had been a “clear increase” in deaths among those over 45. The country experienced its hottest day on record on 24 June, with temperatures hitting almost 41C in Paris and half of France placed under a red heat alert.
Drowning deaths also soared. Speaking on Saturday, interior minister Laurent Nuñez said 72 people had died by drowning since 18 June.
The toll across Europe is mounting. Belgium recorded 1,222 excess deaths – 39% more than usual – with almost half among people aged 85 and over. The Belgian health ministry called the number “unprecedented”. In the Netherlands, about 480 excess deaths were reported, most of them people aged 80 and older.
Now forecasters warn of further extreme temperatures on the continent, including the UK, from this weekend. The Met Office has extended a heat health alert for London to next weekend, with temperatures expected to climb above 30C as high pressure builds from the Azores towards Portugal, Spain, and across France and southern Britain.
The heatwave comes as climate change drives temperatures upward. Europe is the fastest warming continent, heating up twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service, leading to more intense summer heatwaves, greater pressure on water supplies, and more frequent wildfires.