French officials have reported 2,025 additional deaths during the final week of June, a period marked by historic heat. This represents a 29% surge in mortality compared to the prior week, with Health Minister Stéphanie Rist noting that individuals over 45 were particularly affected. In the Paris region, fatalities climbed by 62%.
On June 24, France experienced its hottest average day on record, with Paris temperatures nearing 41C. Officials warn that these figures are likely conservative estimates. The heat also led to 72 drownings between June 18 and early July. Additionally, the Netherlands reported approximately 480 excess deaths during the same period, primarily among those aged 80 and older.
Europe remains at risk, with weather services predicting high pressure from the Azores will bring further heat to France, Spain, Portugal, and southern Britain. Météo-France has issued red alerts for wildfire risks in the south, where nearly 7,000 fires have already burned thousands of hectares this season. Meanwhile, Portugal has declared a state of alert as temperatures prepare to climb back above 40C.
Climate experts at the Copernicus service highlight that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, driving frequent heatwaves and straining water supplies. As these conditions persist, authorities across the continent are bracing for the environmental and health impacts of another wave of extreme weather.
