Europe is burning in a severe heat wave, the death toll in France exceeds 1,000

Europe is burning in a severe heat wave. More than 1,300 additional deaths have been recorded since June 21. Of these, almost 1,000 people have died in France alone. This number of deaths has been recorded due to the severe heat wave that began on June 24. Anadolu Agency
The country’s National Public Health Agency reported this information based on preliminary data released yesterday (June 28). The agency said that although the data is still in the preliminary stage, the death rate during the heat wave has increased significantly. Most of the excess deaths occurred among people aged 65 and over. In addition, the number of deaths at home has increased by about 40 percent.
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said that although temperatures have slightly decreased in many areas, the health effects of the heat wave are not over yet. According to her, the number of deaths in the country is higher than usual. Meanwhile, the Paris Emergency Medical Services Agency (Samu) reported that 80 deaths were recorded on Saturday. Of these, 30 died of heart disease, compared with 109 the day before, Friday.
However, authorities said that the figure only included deaths in Paris’ emergency services. It does not give a full picture of the total number of deaths in the capital. The extra deaths came after a severe heatwave that has swept across large parts of France for 11 consecutive days. Although temperatures dropped slightly in some areas on Sunday due to thunderstorms, hospitals are still under pressure from heat-related illnesses and complications.
The Kerouac meteorological observatory said more than 127,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the country on Saturday night, with the highest number in the Paris region and the Ile-de-France region.
Although temperatures have dropped slightly, the French weather agency Météo-France has maintained an orange alert for Paris and its surrounding areas and 22 departments in the southeast and east on Monday. Health authorities are urging the elderly and people living alone to be particularly vigilant. According to them, the full picture of the actual damage caused by this heat wave has not yet emerged.