France recorded around 1,000 additional deaths during last week’s record-breaking heat wave as soaring temperatures continued to affect countries across Europe, prompting fresh warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) about the growing risks of climate change.
According to Public Health France, the country experienced a sharp rise in deaths between Wednesday and Friday, with daily fatalities exceeding 1,400 at the peak of the heat wave compared with the usual average of 900 to 1,000 deaths. Health officials said about 85 per cent of the victims were aged 65 or older, with the highest increase reported in regions placed under the highest level of heat alert.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, warming at twice the global average. He noted that more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to extreme heat have been recorded across Europe since June 21 and urged governments to strengthen preparedness and public health measures.
Several countries set new temperature records over the weekend. Germany registered a new national high of 41.7 degrees Celsius near the Polish border, while the Czech Republic recorded 41.9 degrees Celsius, its hottest temperature on record.
Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group said the unprecedented heat wave would have been virtually impossible without climate change. Their study concluded that such extreme conditions are now around 200 times more likely than they were two decades ago.
The scorching temperatures also triggered wildfires in Germany, damaged roads and railway infrastructure, and caused widespread transport disruptions. Emergency services responded to hundreds of heat-related incidents, while Berlin police used water cannons near the Brandenburg Gate to help cool residents and tourists.
Authorities across Europe continue to monitor the situation as the heat wave moves eastward, with officials urging people to take precautions against extreme temperatures.