France records 300 excess deaths during May heatwave
French health authorities announced on Tuesday that a five-day heatwave in May—the country's first of the year—resulted in at least 300 excess deaths.
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 04:12 | 30 June 2026
French health officials said on Tuesday that there were at least 300 more deaths than expected during a five-day heatwave in May, the country's first of the year.
"We recorded 300 excess deaths, corresponding to an increase of nearly 14 percent," said Caroline Semaille, director general of Public Health France, adding that the deaths were due to all causes combined and were not necessarily linked to elevated temperatures.