France’s heatwave in June this year pushed temperatures in the capital, Paris, above 40 degrees Celsius at one point, with mortality rates more than double the usual level and nearly 3,000 lives lost.

On June 23, 2026, in Paris, France, people were cooling off and relaxing in the fountain area in front of the Eiffel Tower. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Huimi.

According to an AFP report on July 18, France’s Public Health Agency issued a report on July 17 stating that during the heatwave from June 22 to 28, the Greater Paris region experienced a very high excess mortality rate. The report documented 3,000 deaths, 1,565 more than the projected number.

According to the French Meteorological Service, in the Paris region, the majority of deaths occurred among individuals aged 65 and older, accounting for 82.4% of the total. Authorities anticipate that the death toll may continue to rise.

On June 25, 2026, visitors strolled in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Huimi.

According to reports, heatwave-related deaths are not limited to the direct effects of extreme temperatures, such as dehydration and heatstroke, as some health impacts may take several days to manifest.

France’s meteorological service stated that the 14-day heatwave in June was even more intense than the 2003 heatwave, which claimed the lives of 15,000 people in France. This year’s heatwave lasted two days less than that one.