Heatwave causes over 5,700 excess deaths in France in June

More than 5,700 excess deaths were recorded in France during the abnormal heatwave in June, Report informs, citing French media.

The figures are based on data from the state agency Santé publique France.

According to the agency, 5,764 excess deaths linked to the heat were recorded in France from June 17 to July 2, up 36%. By comparison, 5,722 such deaths were recorded during the whole of last summer. The latest figure is the highest in the country since 2003.

Deaths exceeded expected levels most sharply among people aged 45 to 64, with 2,747 deaths, or 55.4% more than expected. The highest overall mortality was observed among people over 75, with almost 14,900 deaths, 33.3% above expected levels.

The largest number of excess deaths was recorded in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, where the figure reached 2,000, up 81.2%.

France experienced an unusually intense heatwave from June 17 to 28. As a result, almost 10,000 schools and other educational institutions were temporarily closed or changed their schedules.

June 24 and 25 became the hottest days in the country's recorded meteorological history. On those days, the average temperature across France reached 30 C, while temperatures rose to 40 C in more than 50 departments.