France’s Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France) released its latest statistical report on Wednesday, July 22nd, revealing alarming numbers of deaths in the country during the historic heatwave that hit Europe prematurely from June 17th to July 2nd. The disaster-stricken areas in France reported a total of 21,674 deaths during this period, marking a staggering 36% increase compared to normal circumstances.
According to historical data models, the expected death toll in the absence of this heatwave would have been 15,910. This means an unexpected “excess mortality” of 5,764 people, far surpassing the initial estimates of 2,000 deaths by the health authorities. This event becomes the deadliest heatwave in France since the tragedy in 2003 that claimed around 15,000 lives.
More than half of the excess deaths occurred during the three intense days with extreme temperatures from June 25th to 27th. On June 24th and 25th, France experienced its hottest two days on record, with the national average temperature reaching 30°C (86°F) and some areas surpassing 40°C (104°F), setting new historical highs even during nighttime.
The Public Health Agency emphasized that this wave of extreme heat displayed characteristics of an early onset, high intensity, and prolonged duration. With the heatwave hitting in mid to late June while schools were still in session and daily activities were ongoing, the public was not acclimated to the extreme heat, exposing almost the entire population to heat stress.
The Paris metropolitan area was hit hardest among all regions in France, recording 1,999 cases of excess deaths, an increase of about 80% compared to the expected number without the heatwave. The surge in deaths strained local public services, leading to rapid paralysis, with multiple funeral homes and morgues in Paris reaching capacity and refusing to accept bodies, making it difficult to find storage space before burial or cremation.
Among all the deceased, nearly half died in hospitals, putting a strain on the healthcare system dealing with a large influx of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. About one-third died at home, while the remainder mainly occurred in elderly care facilities.
In terms of age demographics, individuals aged 75 and above were the most affected, accounting for two-thirds of the total excess deaths. However, statistics also showed a significant increase in mortality rates across all age groups above 45.
The Health Department explained that the previously released early data only covered electronic death certificates. As paper certificates for many individuals who died alone at home and subsequent statistics are being verified, the final numbers have seen significant revisions.
Experts also warned that many heat-related deaths, such as heart attacks triggered by extreme heat exposure, may only be listed as heart disease on death certificates. Therefore, the actual impact of high temperatures on public health may be more extensive than the reported figures suggest.