A severe heatwave in France has led to more than 2,000 excess deaths within a week, Health Minister, Stephanie Rist, said on Friday, as the country continues to face extreme temperatures.
Rist said deaths recorded between June 22 and June 28 rose by 30 per cent compared with the previous week, resulting in 2,025 additional fatalities above the seasonal average.
The heatwave, which began on Thursday, has disrupted daily life nationwide, forcing schools, construction sites and local authorities to adjust schedules or temporarily shut down operations.
Meteorologists warn the conditions could persist into next week, with severity and duration potentially comparable to the August 2003 heatwave, one of the deadliest in France’s recent history.
The government has activated the ORSAN health emergency plan at its highest level, reinforcing hospital staffing and improving coordination across health facilities and services.
