France estimates May heatwaves caused 300 excess deaths

Parisians bath in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, as the national weather service, Meteo France, placed 54 departments, about half the country, under a red heat wave alert, on Jun. 23, 2026. (AP/File)

• A first wave hit six departments in north-western France in May 24-28
• A ‌second wave hit western and ‌central France between ‌May 26-30

PARIS: ‌France recorded at least 300 excess deaths during unusually early heatwaves in May that triggered amber alerts in 17 departments, French Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry said the toll was a preliminary estimate ‌based on unconsolidated ‌all-cause mortality data ‌and ⁠mostly comprised people aged ⁠75 and over.
A first wave hit six departments in north-western France in May 24-28, leading to an estimated ⁠95 excess deaths ‌there.
A ‌second wave hit western and ‌central France between ‌May 26 and May 30; leading to an estimated 300 excess deaths there, or about 14 percent ‌more than the expected number.
People aged ⁠75 ⁠and over accounted for about 230 of the excess deaths.
French weather agency Meteo-France said May 26 was the hottest day in May ever recorded in the country, with a national average temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius.