France Recorded 5,700 More Deaths Than Usual During Historic June Heat Wave

FRANCE – France recorded at least 5,700 more deaths than usual during a historic heat wave last month, sharply increasing its estimates of the feared toll from record-shattering temperatures.

Public Health France said regions hit by the heat from June 17th to July 2nd recorded 21,674 deaths from all causes.

However, without a heat wave, those same regions would have been expected to have seen far fewer deaths.

The difference between expected and actual deaths, a total of 5,764, or 36%, are therefore considered to be “excess” deaths during the heat wave.

The excess mortality was the highest from any heat wave since 2003 which caused an estimated 15,000 deaths.