France Records Nearly 9,000 Deaths During June Heat Wave

France has recorded an additional 2,025 deaths due to the intense heat wave that hit the country in late June 2026, according to preliminary data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).

The data also showed nearly 9,000 deaths occurred in France that were recorded digitally between June 22 and June 28, 2026.

The increase coincides with the peak of a major heat wave affecting most of the country.

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said the number was still provisional because the electronic death certificate did not cover all deaths recorded in France.

Authorities warned the current data should be interpreted with caution and may underestimate the huge impact of the heat wave.

Electronic death certificates cover about 60 percent of all deaths in France, although coverage varies widely across regions, officials said.

France has been experiencing several days with very high temperatures, and many areas recorded temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.