Extreme heat claims more than 5,700 lives in France

The agency reported that 21,674 people died from all causes during the two-week period.

PARIS: France recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during a severe heat wave that swept across the country between June 17 and July 2, according to the country’s national public health agency.

French health authorities said 5,764 excess deaths were recorded during the period, representing a 36% increase over expected mortality levels.

The agency reported that 21,674 people died from all causes during the two-week period, compared with an expected 15,910 deaths under normal conditions. Public health experts classify the difference as excess mortality associated with the heat wave.

The figures underscore the growing impact of extreme temperatures on public health. Authorities noted that the number of excess deaths recorded in just over two weeks this year exceeded the 5,722 excess deaths reported during the entire summer of the previous year.

Officials continue to monitor the effects of extreme heat as Europe faces increasingly frequent and intense heat waves linked to climate change.