France’s scorching heatwave turns deadly, records 1000 extra deaths in just one week, most victims were….

France has recorded around 1,000 more deaths than usual in just one week as the country battled one of its worst heatwaves in recent years.

According to the French health agency Public Health France, the additional deaths were reported from June 24 onwards, when temperatures across the country surged to dangerous levels.

Officials said the figures are still preliminary and the actual number could be even higher.

Elderly people were hit the hardest

Health authorities said that 85% of the extra deaths were among people aged 65 years and above.

Areas that were placed under the highest level of heat warning, known as the red alert, saw the biggest rise in deaths.

The data highlights how extreme heat poses a serious risk to older people, especially those living alone.

Many victims died at home

Officials reported that the largest increase in deaths occurred among people who died at home rather than in hospitals.

The worst-hit area was the Ile-de-France region, which includes Paris and its surrounding suburbs.

Public Health France said the trend shows the importance of checking on elderly neighbours, relatives and people living in isolation during extreme weather events.

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Paris witnesses record-breaking temperatures

France has been one of the European countries most severely affected by the current heatwave.

This week, Paris recorded more days with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius than it had during the entire period between 1872 and 2019, showing just how unusual the heat has been.

Several regions across the country saw temperatures climb above 40°C.

Shoppers rushed to cooling areas to escape the heat

Videos shared on social media showed people crowding inside supermarkets and shopping centres, gathering around cooling units and air-conditioned areas to escape the intense heat.

Many residents were seen trying different ways to stay cool as temperatures remained dangerously high.

Temperatures begin to fall

After several days of extreme weather, temperatures started easing across France on Sunday.

However, health officials warned that the impact of the heatwave may continue to be felt in the coming days as final death figures are compiled.

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