There is no sign that Europeans will feel relief from the record heatwave any time soon, with the death toll rising with each passing day as the continent battles rising temperatures.
In France, 2,025 excess deaths were recorded in the last week of June compared to the previous week due to the heat wave.
“There were approximately 2,025 additional deaths in the week of June 22 to 28 compared to the previous week,” Health Minister Stephanie Rist told the media. She added that the number is expected to rise further.
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The French Public Health Authority said this represented a 29.1 percent increase in deaths compared to the previous week and warned that these numbers may be an “underestimate.”
“Although we are seeing a clear rise among people between the ages of 45 and 64, people over the age of 65 represent the largest share of deaths,” the French Public Health Authority said, quoted by Agence France-Presse.
A third of Europe’s population experienced temperatures above 35°C
An area of Europe that includes two-thirds of the continent’s population is suffering from a severe heat wave, and witnessed temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius at least in the second half of June, from June 15 to June 30, amid the ongoing heat wave, according to an analysis conducted by Agence France-Presse.
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Calculations were made using data from the European Drought Observatory and population figures from the Joint Research Centre.
The report added that the last time people experienced such high temperatures in Europe was more than two decades ago in August 2003 during a severe heat wave that lasted 16 days.
The 2003 heat wave killed nearly 15,000 people in France. While the current heat wave appears more brutal, its consequences have been far less severe so far, according to authorities.
“It probably won’t be comparable,” Rist said.
The death toll is rising across Europe
In Belgium, the Netherlands and France, about 3,700 excess deaths were recorded in June amid a heat wave, which authorities said could rise.
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The worst heat wave on record was recorded in Europe from 20 to 28 June, leading not only to more deaths, but to severe pressure on healthcare systems and medical facilities, paralyzing power generation and damaging infrastructure.
In Belgium, 39 percent additional deaths were recorded between June 18 and 29, according to health authorities, with about 1,222 excess deaths recorded during that period.
About half of that number represents people aged 85 or older.
The Belgian Ministry of Health said: “Such a level of excess deaths during a heat wave is unprecedented in our country.”
(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)
