Paris, France. France, Belgium and the Netherlands have recorded about 3,700 excess deaths during the June heatwave that pushed temperatures across Europe higher, with authorities warning the figures are preliminary and may increase. Experts said the heatwave, which lasted from about June 20 to June 28, was the worst recorded in Europe.
Heatwave impact across Europe
Experts said the extreme heat caused disruption to power generation, damaged infrastructure and overwhelmed healthcare systems. Scientists said the heat was almost certainly driven by climate change.
France reports 2,025 excess deaths
France recorded 2,025 excess deaths during the heatwave, with a particular increase among people aged over 45, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told local television on Friday.
The country’s public health authority said deaths at home rose 91% between June 22 and June 28 compared with the previous week, while deaths in nursing homes and healthcare facilities also increased.
“Mortality will … be higher than these initial figures suggest,” the authority said in a bulletin.
Belgium says excess mortality was unprecedented
Belgium’s Health Ministry said on Thursday it had registered excess mortality of about 1,200 deaths between June 18 and June 29. It said 530 of the deaths were among people aged 85 or older, while people aged under 65 accounted for 180 of the excess deaths.
“Such excess mortality during a heatwave is unprecedented in our country,” the ministry said in a statement.
Netherlands records about 480 excess deaths
Authorities in the Netherlands said the heatwave led to about 480 excess deaths, mainly among people aged over 80.
