The death toll in France has increased by about 1,000 more than expected since a record heat wave swept much of Western Europe on June 24, with the vast majority of victims aged 65 and older, French health authorities said on Sunday.French public health authorities said the death toll had increased by about 1,000 compared with mortality levels recorded in previous months, but stressed that the figures were preliminary and could be underestimated, AFP reported.The agency said areas under the highest level of red heat alerts were the worst affected, with 85% of excess deaths involving people aged 65 or older.
Most deaths occur at home
According to AFP, the largest increase in deaths was among people who died at home, particularly in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris and its suburbs.“This observation reminds us of the need for solidarity measures for people who are isolated or experience profound loneliness, including those in highly urbanized areas,” France’s public health agency said.After several days of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of France, the scorching weather began to subside across France on Sunday.
European heat wave break record
A deadly heatwave has affected much of Europe, breaking temperature records in several countries and disrupting transport, healthcare and energy systems.Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic set preliminary all-time temperature records over the weekend, while Switzerland recorded its hottest day in June.Earlier this week, France and the UK had already broken June temperature records.Scientists say heatwaves are “almost impossible” to occur without human-driven climate change, which greatly increases the likelihood of extreme nighttime temperatures.
Hospitals are overcrowded and traffic is disrupted
Paris hospitals are still under tremendous pressure during the heat wave, with nearly 3,000 people seeking treatment in public hospital emergency rooms for the second day in a row, about a third more than normal, the Associated Press reported.The city’s public hospital authority activated emergency plans at all 38 hospitals to deal with the surge.Extreme weather has also disrupted traffic across Europe.Rail services in France and Germany were affected by the heat, while German autobahns suffered road damage due to deformed asphalt.In Switzerland, the Beznau nuclear power plant temporarily shut down its reactors due to high water temperatures in the Aare River.Experts say the latest heat wave exceeds temperatures recorded during France’s devastating 2003 heat wave, which killed about 15,000 people, though health officials say improved treatment and preparedness could help keep the death toll below that level this year, the Associated Press reported.
