France recorded at least 300 excess deaths during unusually early heatwaves in May that triggered amber alerts in 17 departments, the French Health Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry stated that the toll was a preliminary estimate based on unconsolidated all-cause mortality data and mostly comprised people aged 75 and over.
Two Waves of Heat in May
A first heatwave hit six departments in north-western France from May 24 to 28, leading to an estimated 95 excess deaths there. A second wave struck western and central France between May 26 and May 30, resulting in an estimated 300 excess deaths, or about 14 percent more than the expected number. People aged 75 and over accounted for about 230 of the excess deaths.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
French weather agency Meteo-France reported that May 26 was the hottest day in May ever recorded in the country, with a national average temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius. The heatwaves prompted amber alerts across 17 departments as the nation grappled with the early onset of extreme heat.
Impact on the Elderly
The Health Ministry emphasized that the majority of excess deaths were among the elderly population, highlighting the vulnerability of older individuals to extreme heat. The preliminary figures underscore the need for heatwave preparedness and public health interventions, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such events.
