Hottest June on record in France as heatwave deaths rise to alarming levels

France experienced its hottest June on record since 1947, with unprecedented day and night temperatures affecting over a third of the country. The heatwave, from June 17 to 30, saw temperatures exceed 40C in more than 40 percent of France, with the average temperature for the month being 22.7C, 3.8C above seasonal norms. June 24 and 25 recorded the highest average temperatures ever in France, across all months. This second heatwave of the year led to a 29 percent surge in deaths during the hottest week, with at least 2,000 more deaths reported compared to the previous week, overwhelming hospitals. Schools were closed and festivals cancelled due to the extreme heat.

France has recorded 2,025 excess deaths during a recent heatwave, with the highest numbers reported in the south and east of the Netherlands where temperatures neared 40C. Forecasters are warning of further extreme temperatures across Europe in the coming days, with the south of France expected to reach 40C. Météo-France has issued red alerts for forest fires in southern France due to very high risk conditions. Since the start of summer, nearly 7,000 fires have broken out, burning approximately 8,700 hectares, and leading to the evacuation of nearly 3,000 people from Sainte-Marie-la-Mer and Canet-en-Roussillon. The Iberian Peninsula is also bracing for the possibility of another heatwave.

Spain and France are preparing for another heatwave, with temperatures potentially reaching 44°C. This comes after June's extreme heat caused over 2,000 excess deaths in the two countries, with approximately 1,000 attributed to each. Spain's meteorological agency warned of increased wildfire risk and advised vulnerable populations to take precautions. Scientists link these severe heat events to the climate crisis. In France, the heatwave led to a rise in drowning deaths and strained emergency services, with a significant increase in heatstroke and dehydration call-outs. The intense heat also caused public disturbances in Paris as people scrambled to buy scarce air-conditioning units.