France recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during a severe early-summer heat wave, the country’s highest heat-related mortality toll in over 20 years, Public Health France said Wednesday.
From June 17 to July 2, health officials had anticipated 15,910 deaths. Instead, 21,674 were recorded, leaving a gap of 5,764 excess deaths — a 36% increase over expected mortality levels.
As the heat wave gripped the country, temperatures surged past 104 degrees Fahrenheit across many regions, according to Public Health France.
“This unprecedented event, characterized by its early onset, intensity and duration, exposed almost the entire population to extreme heat during a period that was still largely dedicated to school and work activities,” the agency said.
The rise in deaths was seen across multiple settings, including hospitals, private residences and nursing homes, underscoring the widespread impact of the extreme weather.
Public Health France’s review covered people ages 15 and older, with mortality beginning to climb notably from age 45. Those 75 and older made up about two-thirds of the provisional toll, accounting for at least 3,719 excess deaths.
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The Paris region suffered the most severe impact, reporting 1,999 excess deaths — more than 80% above the level that would have been expected without the heat wave, the agency reported.
Public Health France said 2026 brought the nation’s highest heat wave-related excess mortality since 2003. That year, the National Institute of Health and Medical Research estimated that about 15,000 additional people died compared with the usual death toll for the same period.
This year, the hottest days occurred on June 24 and June 25, when the national average temperature reached 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak temperatures also climbed above 104 degrees in many areas.
More than half of the excess deaths — about 56% — occurred during or immediately after the most intense stretch of the heat wave between June 25 and June 27.
Officials also said more than 10,000 excess deaths were reported across Europe during the peak of the heat wave, though the preliminary figures are expected to be updated in the coming weeks.
According to The Associated Press, funeral directors in Paris said they were inundated by the surge in bodies awaiting burial or cremation, with some mortuaries reaching capacity and turning down new arrivals.
Health officials noted that the excess mortality estimate includes deaths from all causes that occurred during the heat wave. The figures remain provisional and will continue to be refined in the coming weeks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
