France has recorded more than 7,300 excess deaths during a summer marked by three heatwaves in quick succession. Data released by the health agency Santé Publique France indicates these casualties occurred as the country faced its hottest month in more than a century.
Since mid-June, mainland France has experienced a total of 52 heatwave days, surpassing any yearly total recorded since 1947. The current heatwave in August is noted as the second-longest ever recorded by the national meteorological service.
These extreme conditions have impacted industry and public health services across the nation. The situation reflects a broader trend as Europe grapples with worsening heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts.