Around 5,764 excess deaths recorded in France during heatwave from 17 June to 2 July, according to Santé publique France
Around 5,764 excess deaths recorded in France during heatwave from 17 June to 2 July, according to Santé publique France. When thermometers break records and heatwaves stretch for weeks, the cost of climate change is measured not only in economic losses but in human lives. The heatwave that hit France in late June proved the deadliest in two decades, claiming thousands of lives. Excess mortality figures are not just statistics — they are the tragedy of families who lost loved ones, and a stark reminder that extreme heat is becoming one of the greatest public health threats in Europe.
According to French daily Le Figaro, citing the public health agency Santé publique France, about 5,764 excess deaths from all causes were recorded during the heatwave from 17 June to 2 July. The preliminary estimate covers 92 departments affected by the heat, representing an excess mortality rate of 36 percent. About half of the excess deaths occurred during a three day period from 25 to 27 June.
The excess mortality rate recorded during this heatwave was the highest in France since 2003. The June heatwave followed a shorter and less intense period from 24 to 28 May, during which about 300 excess deaths were recorded. France then experienced a third heat period in mid July. For comparison, the public health agency recorded 5,700 heat related deaths for the entire summer of 2025.
France, like many European countries, is increasingly facing extreme temperature events. The 2003 heatwave, which claimed about 15,000 lives, was a turning point for the country's healthcare system, which has since introduced heatwave response plans. However, current figures show that even improved warning systems are not always enough to prevent mass casualties.
As CCTV+ reports. Scientists warn that the frequency and intensity of heatwaves will increase, and adapting to new climate realities is becoming a major challenge for governments and societies.
