France records 2,025 excess deaths as Europe braces for another heatwave
A devastating heatwave that swept across Western Europe in late June has been linked to more than 3,200 excess deaths in France and Belgium, as authorities warn the true human toll is likely to be significantly higher.
The extreme temperatures, which overwhelmed healthcare systems and strained public infrastructure, have become one of the region’s deadliest climate-related disasters in recent years, prompting renewed concerns over Europe’s preparedness for increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
France records more than 2,000 excess deaths
French health authorities reported 2,025 excess deaths during the peak of the heatwave between June 22 and June 28, representing a 29 per cent increase compared with the previous week.
The Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, was among the hardest hit, recording a 62.8 per cent rise in deaths. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the increase was particularly evident among people aged over 45, adding that the current figures remain provisional and are expected to rise as more data becomes available.
Belgium and neighbouring countries also affected
Belgium reported 1,222 excess deaths between June 18 and June 29, a 39 per cent increase above expected mortality levels. Officials described the death toll as unprecedented during a heatwave, with more than half of the victims aged 85 and above.
The Netherlands also experienced the impact of the extreme weather, recording around 480 excess deaths, particularly in southern and eastern regions where temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius.
In France, the heat also contributed to a rise in drowning incidents as people sought relief in rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez initially reported 72 drowning deaths since June 18, while Youth and Sports Minister Marina Ferrari later said the number had exceeded 90.
Infrastructure and environmental damage
The prolonged heat placed enormous pressure on infrastructure across Europe.
Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant was forced to reduce electricity generation after the Danube River became too warm to provide sufficient cooling. Low river levels have also affected agriculture and energy production across the continent.
In Italy, reduced water flow in the Po River has allowed seawater to penetrate as far as 18 kilometres inland, raising concerns about water quality and farming.
France has also faced an active wildfire season, with nearly 7,000 fires destroying about 8,700 hectares of land. Thousands of residents were evacuated from Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, while forest fire alerts were issued across southern France.
Storms accompanying the heatwave also disrupted electricity supplies, leaving about 36,000 households without power. Near Marseille alone, three major wildfires burned more than 1,200 hectares.
Climate concerns and political pressure
The crisis has intensified political debate in France, with opposition politicians criticising the government’s handling of the extreme weather. The Green Party has since tabled a motion of no confidence against the government.
Climate scientists say the latest heatwave reflects a broader trend driven by global warming. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, making it the fastest-warming continent.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said millions of Europeans remain exposed to dangerous temperatures, warning that climate change is making once-rare heatwaves an almost annual occurrence.
Researchers also argue that heat events of this magnitude would have been highly unlikely without human-induced climate change.
Public health systems under pressure
The return of extreme heat to Paris sparked panic buying of affordable air-cooling units, with large crowds gathering outside supermarkets offering discounted portable cooling devices. Police were called to several locations after disputes broke out among shoppers.
The surge in demand highlighted the limited availability of air conditioning in many French homes and schools, which were built for historically milder summers.
Medical emergency services reported a sharp increase in heat-related illnesses. Calls involving heatstroke rose by 480 per cent, while dehydration cases increased by 315 per cent. Hospital admissions among people aged over 75 climbed by 19 per cent, with deaths in that age group increasing by 85 per cent during the final two weeks of June.
Fears of another heatwave
Although officials believe the death toll is unlikely to reach the approximately 15,000 lives lost during France’s catastrophic 2003 heatwave, they expect fatalities to exceed those recorded during last year’s extreme temperatures.
Forecasters are now warning that another heatwave could soon affect France and Spain, with temperatures potentially reaching 44 degrees Celsius.
Spain’s national weather agency, Aemet, said a mass of hot, dry air is expected to push temperatures higher over the coming days, while health data already indicates that Spain recorded more than 1,000 excess deaths in June.
French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist cautioned that the health effects of prolonged heat often continue long after temperatures begin to fall, stressing that the crisis is far from over.
Experts say the repeated occurrence of such extreme weather highlights the urgent need for stronger climate adaptation measures and more resilient public health and infrastructure systems across Europe.
Source: BBC
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