France Records About 1,000 Excess Deaths, Mostly Among Those 65 and Older, as Heatwave Eases

France has recorded approximately 1,000 excess deaths since a heatwave began on June 20. The country's public health agency said most of those deaths involved people aged 65 and older. The agency added that the total is expected to rise once data from homes and residential care facilities are fully processed.

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist stated that health effects of the heatwave could linger for up to ten days. She told broadcaster BFM that the episode is not finished. The heatwave has spread across much of Europe.

At least 191 million people are forecast to experience temperatures of at least 35 °C on Sunday, with the most intense conditions in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria and western Ukraine are also affected. Temperatures are expected to reach 40 °C in parts of Germany, Italy and Poland.

Preliminary all-time temperature records were set on Saturday in Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic. In Kubschuetz, Germany, the overnight low stayed at 29.4 °C on Saturday night, the warmest night since records began nearly 150 years ago. At least seven people died in swimming accidents in Germany over the weekend, including two in separate incidents in Berlin.

Museums and schools across Europe closed early because of the heat. France's weather agency said extreme conditions had eased in most of the country, though some northeastern areas remained under advisory. Heavy thunderstorms are expected as the heat begins to wane.