For several days, many European countries have been hit by heatwaves, entering a “brigade mode” of extreme temperatures. Meteorologists warn that temperatures in several European countries are likely to set new historical records for the same period. According to reports from AFP and Reuters on June 28 local time, during the three days when temperatures peaked, there were approximately 1,000 excess deaths across France. Most of these heat-related deaths involved elderly people. The French public health authorities warn that as more information about deaths in nursing homes and private residences becomes known, the number of deaths is expected to increase further.
Excess deaths refer to the difference between the actual number of deaths in a specific region or during a specific period, and the expected number of deaths in the absence of special factors such as public health crises.
A statement released by the French Public Health Agency stated that both monthly records and historical records have been broken. Tuesday, June 23rd, became the hottest day on record in France since meteorological records began, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. On June 24th, the number of deaths across France due to various reasons exceeded 1200, with over 1400 deaths on June 25th and June 26th respectively. During the months of April and May this year, the number of deaths per day ranged from 900 to 1000.
According to the French Public Health Agency, only in those three days, approximately 1,000 additional excess deaths were recorded nationwide.
According to the relevant statements, although people of all ages are affected by the hot weather, elderly people aged 65 and above account for as high as 85% of the deceased. There has been a significant increase in deaths in hospitals and nursing homes, and the number of deaths at home has increased significantly, by up to 40%.
This data again reminds us that we need to provide more care and assistance to those who live lives of solitude.
The French Public Health Agency also emphasized that the current death statistics are not complete, and the actual number of deaths may be higher.
Meanwhile, French Health Minister Stephane Ristelheide said in a TV interview on June 28 that many French hospitals lack air conditioning due to various reasons. Currently, an urgent order for 30,000 air conditioners has been placed, and she expects these units to be delivered within the next few days. She also stated that the heat wave is not over.
French Health Minister warns that heatwaves are not over yet
In a televised interview, Benjamin Rossi, an infectious disease expert at the Robert Batlle Hospital in the Grand Paris region, called for the state to urgently fund improvements to hospital facilities. He stated that both the hospital's office area and wards were experiencing temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius, which was unbearable for medical staff and patients.
Other live TV videos showed that in some hospital wards and working areas, only fans were used to cool the air, while the room temperature reached nearly 32 degrees Celsius in the morning. In some hospital wards and nursing homes, reflective panels were placed on the windows to provide shade.
French meteorological agencies say that extreme heat conditions have eased in most parts of the country, but some areas in the northeast are still under heat warning.
This heatwave, which began on June 20th, is the most severe in European recorded history. The scorching weather disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure, and overwhelmed the healthcare system.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros said on X: "Currently, 150 million people are living under extreme heat conditions, hundreds have died, schools are closed, and the power grid is on the brink of collapse."
He wrote: “Driven by climate change and global warming, ‘once-in-a-century’ heatwaves now occur almost every year. We have been warned about this for a long time.” He also added that European households, workplaces, and schools are unprepared to deal with extreme heat.
Scientists point out that if there were no human-induced climate change, this heat wave would “be almost impossible” to occur. Climate change has increased the likelihood of record-high temperatures at night by a factor of 100 compared to twenty years ago.
Extreme heat has led to frequent "emergencies" with European infrastructure, and has stimulated the demand for products such as air conditioners and fans. Driven by strong e-commerce channels, orders for cooling products manufactured in China have increased significantly, becoming a new growth point for foreign trade exports this summer.
