France records around 1,000 excess deaths during deadly heatwave

They have linked the unprecedented temperatures to the worsening climate crisis driven by fossil fuel emissions.

PARIS — France has recorded 1,000 more deaths than usual this month — an increase that can be attributed to the record-breaking heat wave the country has gone through in recent days.

After seven consecutive days of extreme heat, French hospitals have reached a critical point, with emergency departments reporting a sharp increase in heat-related health cases within just 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday.

Most of the fatalities involved older people and the mortality rate is expected to rise