5764 deaths recorded during heatwave that hit France

July 23, 2026 - 09:57 | Last update July 23, 2026 - 09:57

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Okaz (Paris)

5764 deaths were recorded during the severe heatwave that hit France between June 17 and July 2, 2026, half of them in just three days between June 25 and 27, in a death toll increase that is the highest since the historic heatwave of 2003. The National Public Health Agency reported that the early and prolonged heatwave affected nearly all of the country's population (98.5%), extending to 92 departments in a 'critical period for school and professional activities.' France experienced a third heatwave in mid-July. Last year, the final figures from the National Health Authority recorded 5700 deaths attributed to extreme heat throughout the summer of 2025. French authorities had called for caution due to dry and hot winds expected to intensify by the end of this week, along with record temperatures and dry vegetation.

Heatwave France