France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the intense heatwave currently sweeping across Europe, according to an announcement from the national public health agency on Sunday. Officials warned that the final mortality count is expected to rise as more data is processed.
In its preliminary report, Santé Publique noted that the majority of fatalities occurred among the elderly. The agency anticipates that the total number of excess deaths will increase as detailed information regarding mortality in residential care facilities and private homes becomes available.
The record-breaking heatwave has impacted much of Europe, causing significant disruptions to power generation, damaging critical infrastructure, and being linked to numerous fatalities across the continent.
Scientists have identified this period of extreme weather, which began on June 20, as the most severe ever recorded in Europe. The phenomenon underscores concerns regarding climate change, as the European continent is warming faster than the global average.
While the weather system is moving eastward and temperatures have begun to subside in much of the country, the French meteorological agency noted that heatwave advisories remain in effect for several regions in the northeast.