France records around 1,000 excess deaths during record heatwave

French health officials said about 1,000 excess deaths were recorded during the heatwave. They said the toll hit red alert areas and older people hardest, with many dying at home.

In Short

• Public Health France recorded about 1,000 excess deaths since 24 June
• Red alert areas were hit hardest during the record-breaking heatwave
• Eighty-five percent of those who died were aged 65 and above

French health officials said Sunday there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected during a record-breaking heatwave that has baked much of western Europe for days.

"Since June 24, approximately 1,000 additional deaths (unconsolidated figures) have been observed compared to the deaths recorded in previous months," Public Health France said in a statement.

The agency said areas under red alert for heat had been particularly badly affected, and 85 percent of the deaths had been those aged 65 and over.

The sharpest increases, the agency said, involved people dying at home, especially in the Ile-de-France region that includes Paris and its suburbs.

"This observation serves as a reminder of the need for measures of solidarity toward people who are isolated or experiencing profound loneliness, including in highly urbanised areas," the statement said.

The agency stressed that the figures were preliminary and were likely to be an underestimate.

The heat eased across France on Sunday after days of punishing temperatures that saw the mercury rising above 40C in many areas.

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