France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the intense heat wave gripping Europe, according to a preliminary report released Sunday by the public health agency Sante Publique. Officials cautioned that the final number is expected to be higher as more data becomes available.
The majority of the recorded fatalities involved individuals aged 65 and older, though the health impacts of the extreme temperatures have affected all age groups. The agency indicated that figures from residential care facilities and private homes are still being compiled.
The heat wave, which began on June 20, has shattered temperature records across Europe and has been linked to dozens of deaths. It has also disrupted power generation and caused damage to infrastructure.
While the extreme heat has begun to recede in many parts of France, some northeastern areas remain under a heat wave advisory, according to the national weather agency. Health Minister Stephanie Rist stated that the lingering effects of the heat wave could persist for up to ten days after temperatures decrease.
"The episode is not finished," Rist told broadcaster BFM, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with the extreme weather conditions. Scientists have identified the current heat wave as the most severe recorded in Europe, a region experiencing climate change at a faster rate than the global average.