France has recorded about 1,000 more deaths than expected since June 24 as an extreme heat wave hit most of the country, according to preliminary data released by the French Public Health Agency.
The agency said the data, which is still provisional, shows a significant increase in the death rate during the heat wave period. The age group over 65 years accounts for the majority of these excess deaths.
It was also reported that there was a 40 percent increase in the number of deaths that occurred at home.
As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, June 29, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist had previously warned that the health impact of the heat wave had not ended even though temperatures had begun to decline in a number of regions. According to him, France is now experiencing "a higher number of deaths than usual," as reported by the BFMTV television station.
Meanwhile, Paris' emergency medical service (SAMU) reported 80 deaths on Saturday, including 30 cases of heart attacks. The number was slightly down from the 109 deaths recorded on Friday.
Authorities stressed that the figure only covers cases handled by Paris' emergency services and does not reflect the total number of deaths in the capital.
The spike in deaths comes after France has experienced 11 consecutive days of extreme hot weather in most of France.
Although temperatures began to drop in a number of areas on Sunday after a severe thunderstorm, hospitals are still under pressure due to the increase in cases of heat-related diseases and medical complications that have emerged recently.
According to the Keraunos Observatory, more than 127,000 lightning strikes were recorded across France on Saturday night, with the most intense electrical activity occurring between the Paris region and the Hauts-de-France region.
Despite cooler weather conditions, the Meteo-France meteorological agency maintained an orange heatwave alert status in 22 departments on Monday, including Paris and its surrounding area, as well as parts of southeast and eastern France.
Meanwhile, health authorities are urging the elderly and residents who live alone to continue to take preventive measures, and are warning that the full impact of the heat wave on human life safety is still uncertain.
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