French health authorities say nearly 1,000 excess deaths have been recorded since June 24, 2026, as an intense heatwave continues to affect the country, making it one of the deadliest early summer weather events in recent years.
According to Public Health France, preliminary mortality data show that around 1,000 more people died than expected between June 24 and June 27.
Most of those who died were aged 65 or older, with many of the deaths reported in homes and care facilities. Officials warned that the death toll could increase as more data becomes available.
Temperatures have climbed above 40°C (104°F) across parts of France and several areas of Western and Central Europe, putting hospitals and emergency services under pressure while also disrupting transport and power networks.
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Emergency responders in France have dealt with more than 122,000 heat-related calls. Authorities have advised people to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day and drink plenty of water to avoid heat-related illnesses.
The heatwave has also spread across neighboring countries, with Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Italy recording new temperature highs.
The extreme weather has triggered severe drought, wildfires, and damage to agriculture and energy infrastructure. In some parts of France and Belgium, the intense heat has also been followed by severe thunderstorms.
Climate experts and the World Health Organization have warned that climate change caused by human activity is increasing both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe, where much of the infrastructure is still not equipped to handle long periods of extreme heat.