The death rate in the Paris region more than doubled during a record heatwave last June, according to the French health agency on Friday.

A report by Santé Publique France said a 'very high excess death rate' was observed during the heatwave in the Île-de-France region from June 22 to 28, with 3,000 deaths recorded, an excess of '1,565 deaths above the expected number'.

The Paris region was among the hardest hit in terms of excess death rates during the June heatwave, which was one of three heatwaves that have hit France since May.

Scientists link the increasing frequency of extreme weather events to climate change caused by human activities.

Preliminary data on excess deaths during the June heatwave showed about 2,000 additional deaths compared to the expected number nationwide in France, but this figure is expected to rise.

The agency said the figure from the Paris region 'is particularly linked to people aged over 65, who represent 82.4% of deaths,' adding that the number could rise.

Deaths related to heatwaves are not limited to the direct effects of high temperatures, such as dehydration and heatstroke, as some complications may take days to appear.

The French meteorological agency said the 14-day heatwave in June was 'more intense' than the one that hit the country in 2003, which killed 15,000 people in France, although it was two days shorter.

The heatwave affected various parts of Europe and broke temperature records in several countries.