Amid the extreme heat wave in Europethe France recorded an excess of around a thousand deaths in just three days, the country’s Ministry of Health reported this Sunday (28).
The number could be even higher, because the data, collected since Wednesday (24), is not yet definitive. “Several monthly and historical records were broken; Tuesday (23) was the hottest day ever recorded in the country, surpassing the record set in 2003”, informed the ministry.
On that date, the French meteorological service recorded 44.3ºC in Pissos — marking the hottest day in the country since measurements began in 1947.
The ministry counted more than 1,200 deaths from all causes on June 24, 1,400 on June 25 and another more than 1,400 on June 26. In April and May, this daily average was around 900 to 1,000 deaths per day.
“This increase has been more pronounced in the regions under red alert in recent days, in particular in Île-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre-Loire Valley, Normandy and Pays de la Loire,” stated the Ministry of Health.
Elderly people most affected
Although all age groups were affected, 85% of deaths were people aged 65 and over. Deaths rose in hospitals, nursing homes and homes, the ministry noted, adding that, in particular, deaths at home soared by 40%.
“This finding serves as a reminder of the need for solidarity measures towards people who are isolated or experience profound loneliness, including in highly urbanized areas,” he said.
The ministry highlighted that the figures are based only on electronic death certificates and are therefore not conclusive, typically representing around 60% of national mortality, with deaths at home being a blind spot.
The heat eased a little in France this Sunday, after days with thermometers reaching more than 40ºC in several areas. The Paris LGBTQ+ Parade, which was supposed to take place on Saturday, was postponed due to high temperatures.
Effect of climate change
The head of climate of the UN, Simon Stiell, said that the heat wave — worsened by buildings and infrastructure inadequate for these types of temperatures — “has the hallmarks of the climate crisis all over it”.
“It’s the latest price to pay for the fossil fuel pollution that is warming our planet. Until humanity stops burning huge amounts of coal, oil and gas, extreme heat will continue to get worse,” he added.
The deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service at European UnionSamantha Burgess, explained that a “heat dome” made up of air trapped from North Africa in a low-altitude high-pressure system prevents cooler air from entering.
“While heat domes are a natural meteorological phenomenon, human-caused climate change is making heat waves more severe and more likely to reach record temperatures,” he added.
