France Reports Around 1,000 Excess Deaths
A record-breaking heatwave continues to grip large parts of Europe, with several countries recording temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius.
France has reported around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the extreme heat. Authorities have warned that the final death toll may rise further as assessments continue.
France’s public health agency said most heat-related deaths involved elderly people. Officials are still reviewing deaths reported in care homes and private residences.
Health experts say the impact of extreme heat often continues even after temperatures begin to fall. French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist warned that the health effects of the heatwave could last for up to 10 days after the weather cools.
She said the episode was not over yet, despite some relief in parts of France.
Scientists believe the current heatwave, which began on June 20, may be the most severe ever recorded in Europe. They say climate change has made such dangerous heat events more frequent and more intense.
Power, Transport and Health Systems Under Pressure
The heatwave has placed serious pressure on hospitals, electricity grids, transport systems and public infrastructure across Europe.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said around 150 million people are currently living under extreme heat conditions. He said hundreds of deaths have been reported, schools have been closed, and power systems are facing growing pressure.
He warned that climate change has turned once-rare heatwaves into events that now occur almost every year. He also said many homes, schools and workplaces in Europe are still not properly prepared for prolonged extreme heat.
Several countries, including Austria, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, recorded new temperature highs.
In Germany, rail services were reduced on a major route in North Rhine-Westphalia because of the heat. Tram services were also suspended in Leipzig.
Storms later swept across parts of France, bringing some relief but also causing power outages. Electricity provider Enedis said around 36,000 households in northern and central France remained without power on Sunday afternoon.
Rivers, Nuclear Plants and Farms Affected
Europe’s waterways have also been affected by the prolonged heat.
In Hungary, the Paks nuclear power plant was forced to reduce output again because the Danube River became too warm to support normal cooling operations.
In Italy, water levels in the Po River have fallen sharply. This allowed seawater to push nearly 18 kilometres inland, raising concerns for farming and protected wetlands in the river delta.
Authorities have also reported several drowning incidents as people tried to escape the extreme temperatures by swimming in lakes and rivers.
In Italy, rescue teams continued searching for the husband of cabinet minister Eugenia Roccella after he disappeared while swimming in Lake Vico.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic issued smog warnings in central and northern regions. High temperatures increased dangerous ground-level ozone levels. Residents were advised to avoid heavy outdoor activity.
Meteorologists said thunderstorms may bring cooler weather to parts of France, Germany and the Czech Republic. However, the heatwave is expected to shift toward Central Europe and the Balkans.
Although temperatures have eased in most parts of France, some northeastern regions remain under heat alerts.
