Paris, July 3, 2026 – The Europe Today: France has reported a sharp rise in deaths following the record-breaking European heatwave in June, with health authorities recording more than 2,000 additional deaths during the final week of the month as forecasters warn that another spell of extreme temperatures is expected to affect parts of Europe in the coming days.
According to French health authorities, 2,025 more deaths were recorded between June 22 and 28, representing a 29 percent increase compared to the previous week. Deaths in the Paris region alone surged by 62 percent, while Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said there had been a significant increase in fatalities among people aged over 45.
France experienced its hottest nationwide day on record on June 24, with temperatures approaching 41 degrees Celsius in Paris and nearly half of the country placed under the highest-level red heat alert. The French Health Ministry cautioned that the reported death toll was likely an underestimate and that the final number of heat-related fatalities could be considerably higher.
The extreme weather also contributed to a sharp increase in drowning incidents. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 72 people had died by drowning since June 18, highlighting the broader public safety risks associated with prolonged heatwaves.
Weather forecasters have warned that another period of intense heat is expected this weekend as a large high-pressure system builds from the Azores towards Portugal and Spain, bringing rising temperatures across France and southern Britain.
The heatwave has affected several European countries. Belgium reported 1,222 excess deaths during the period, a 39 percent increase over normal levels, with nearly half of the victims aged 85 and above. Belgian health authorities described the mortality rate during the heatwave as unprecedented.
In the Netherlands, authorities estimated that last week’s exceptional heat resulted in approximately 480 excess deaths, the majority involving people aged 80 and older.
Meanwhile, millions of people across the central and eastern United States are also facing prolonged extreme heat and high humidity during the July Fourth holiday weekend.
Climate experts say Europe remains the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average. They warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of summer heatwaves, placing greater strain on water resources, worsening wildfire risks, and posing growing threats to public health across the region.
