France Records 2,025 Excess Deaths in June Heatwave as 40C Temperatures Threaten Europe Again
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 3
France Records 2,025 Excess Deaths in June Heatwave as 40C Temperatures Threaten Europe Again
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 3
Summary
Public Health France reported 2,025 excess deaths between June 22 and 28, with total deaths up 29% from the previous week and the health ministry warning the toll is likely understated.
France’s hottest nationwide day on record came on June 24, with Paris nearing 41C; deaths in the Paris region jumped 62%, and officials saw a clear rise among people over 45.
The heatwave’s toll extended beyond direct mortality: 72 people drowned in France from June 18, and nearly 3,000 residents were evacuated after a wildfire spread between Sainte-Marie-la-Mer and Canet-en-Roussillon.
Fresh heat is building again, with southern France forecast to hit 40C, red forest-fire alerts in place for Friday and Saturday, and Portugal and parts of Spain also bracing for temperatures above 40C.
Across Europe, Belgium logged 1,222 excess deaths and the Netherlands about 480, underscoring how the continent—warming twice as fast as the global average—is facing deadlier heatwaves.
While the EU cuts emissions, why does it face worsening heatwaves that are deadlier than ever before?
As Europe's climate goals clash with deadly heat, are its adaptation plans fast enough to save lives this summer?
June 2026 Heatwave Exposes Europe’s Vulnerability: 150 Million Affected, Record Deaths, and Policy Challenges
Overview
The June 2026 heatwave swept across Europe, exposing over 150 million people to extreme heat and breaking temperature records in countries like Germany and the UK. As the heatwave persisted, it caused severe disruptions to infrastructure, such as damaged transport networks, and led to tragic health consequences, including a rise in deaths and drownings. The event highlighted the continent’s vulnerability to extreme weather, with real-time data on health impacts proving difficult to collect. This crisis underscored the urgent need for better preparedness, improved public health systems, and stronger climate adaptation strategies across Europe.