Story perspectives

France records 36% excess deaths, wildfires surge

7/23/2026

Summary

France Records Surge

France's Public Health France recorded 21,674 deaths June 17–July 2, 5,764 above the expected 15,910, a 36 % excess—the highest since 2003.
The excess peaked during the three-day heat wave of June 25-27, when national temperatures averaged 86 °F and rose above 104 °F.
Paris logged 1,999 excess deaths, about 80 % above normal, with those 75 + comprising two-thirds, and half of all excess deaths occurred in hospitals, one-third at home and the remainder in care homes.

Summary

Wildfires Ignite Crisis

Wildfires burned a tenth of the UNESCO-listed Fontainebleau forest and killed two firefighters in Gironde.
Officials said nine-tenths of fires were human-caused and urged people to stop barbecuing during extreme heat.
Health agencies linked the three heatwaves since May to climate change and called for stronger heat-response plans.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said 22 wildfires have occurred this year, four times last year, indicating a wider European heat crisis.

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France Records Surge

France's Public Health France recorded 21,674 deaths June 17–July 2, 5,764 above the expected 15,910, a 36 % excess—the highest since 2003.
The excess peaked during the three-day heat wave of June 25-27, when national temperatures averaged 86 °F and rose above 104 °F.
Paris logged 1,999 excess deaths, about 80 % above normal, with those 75 + comprising two-thirds, and half of all excess deaths occurred in hospitals, one-third at home and the remainder in care homes.

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