France Records 5,764 Excess Deaths in Late‑June Heatwave, Highest Toll Since 2003

Overview

• Health authorities attributed 5,764 excess deaths to the heatwave that struck between 17 June and 2 July, based on 21,674 observed deaths versus about 15,910 expected.
• Deaths were sharply concentrated on 25–27 June when daytime and nighttime temperature records were set, with just over half of the excess deaths occurring in those three days.
• Older people were hardest hit with at least 3,719 excess deaths for those 75 and over and 979 excess deaths among people aged 45–64, a pattern officials called unprecedented for recent years.
• Île‑de‑France suffered the largest regional impact with 1,999 deaths above expected levels, and nearly half of all recorded deaths in the period occurred in hospitals while about one third happened at home.
• Santé Publique France stresses these numbers are provisional and will be followed by a consolidated report starting in September, and critics have intensified scrutiny of government measures after a third heat episode in mid‑July.