France estimates heatwaves caused 300 excess deaths in May

France recorded at least 300 excess deaths during unusually early heatwaves in May that triggered amber alerts in 17 departments, French Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Hugo Lhomedet/Reuters

30 June 2026 at 13:07:02

France estimates heatwaves caused 300 excess deaths in May

People walk along the Bassin de la Villette as lightning illuminates the sky during a storm, amid a heatwave in Paris, France, June 27, 2026. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

Tom Nicholson/Reuters

PARIS - France recorded at least 300 excess deaths during unusually early heatwaves in May that triggered amber alerts in 17 departments, French Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said the toll was a preliminary estimate based on unconsolidated all-cause mortality data and mostly comprised people aged 75 and over.

A first wave hit six departments in north-western France in May 24-28, leading to an estimated 95 excess deaths there.

A second wave hit western and central France between May 26 and May 30; leading to an estimated 300 excess deaths there, or about 14% more than the expected number.

People aged 75 and over accounted for about 230 of the excess deaths.

French weather agency Meteo-France said May 26 was the hottest day in May ever recorded in the country, with a national average temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius.

-Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet; Edited by Inti Landauro/Reuters