Death rates in the Paris region more than doubled normal levels during last month’s record heatwave, according to France’s public health agency. Officials reported a sharp rise in fatalities between June 22 and 28, with around 3,000 deaths recorded, exceeding expectations by 1,565. The Paris area ranked among the regions with the highest excess mortality during one of three heatwaves to affect France since May. Researchers have connected more frequent extreme weather events to human-driven climate change. Earlier national estimates showed 2,000 additional deaths across France, with totals likely to increase further. Most victims in the Paris region were over age 65, accounting for 82 percent of cases, though figures may rise. Heat-related deaths extend beyond immediate impacts like dehydration, as some effects appear after several days. France’s meteorological service noted the 14-day June heatwave was more severe than the 2003 event that caused 15,000 deaths, despite being shorter. The heat affected much of Europe and set new temperature records in multiple countries. Climate scientists described it as the most intense on record for the region and stated such conditions would have been nearly impossible without climate change.
