In June, France was hit by a heat wave, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius. This caused a significant increase in deaths in the region where Paris is located. In just one week, 3,000 people died, and the mortality rate was more than twice the normal level.
According to French 24 News, data released by the French Public Health Agency on July 18 local time showed that record-high temperatures across France in June led to a significant increase in deaths in the Île-de-France region. Between June 22 and 28, the region experienced an "extremely high excess mortality rate," with 3,000 deaths, which is 1,565 more than expected.
Among them, the newly added deaths in the Île-de-France region are mainly among the elderly population. People aged 65 and above account for 82.4% of all deaths.
According to reports, France has experienced three heatwaves since May, and the Île-de-France region was one of the areas in France where the number of deaths during the June heatwave was the highest. Preliminary statistics indicate that the number of deaths was 2,000 more than expected, and this figure is expected to continue to increase.
According to the French meteorological department, the heatwave that lasted for 14 days in June this year was even more intense than the one that caused the death of about 15,000 people in France in 2003, although it lasted two days less.
The Île-de-France region is one of the 13 regions of France, commonly known as the Paris region. It is located at the center of the Paris Basin in northern-central France and serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of the country. According to information on the French government website, this region consists of the city of Paris and 7 surrounding departments, with a population of approximately 12.28 million people. It contributes nearly one-third of the country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
