Europe heatwave kills over 1,300 as Paris morgues run out of space

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to extreme heat have been recorded across Europe since June 21.aljazeera+1
Paris funeral homes have reached full capacity, forcing directors to transport bodies outside the capital as France reports 1,000 excess deaths, 85% among those 65 and older.apnews+1
The French government faces mounting criticism over its response, with opposition parties attacking its climate preparedness ahead of a crisis meeting scheduled for Monday.aa

Every few minutes, calls come in from families desperate to find space for their dead. Paris mortuaries have reached full capacity as France's record-breaking heatwave — which has been linked to roughly 1,000 excess deaths in the country — forces funeral directors to turn families away or transport bodies outside the capital for cold storage.youtube+1

A Continent in Crisis

The heatwave, which began around June 20, has shattered temperature records across Western Europe. France recorded its hottest day since records began in 1947, with an average national temperature reaching 30°C on June 25. Germany set a new all-time high of 41.5°C at Drewitz station on June 27. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to high temperatures had been recorded across Europe since June 21.aljazeera+3

In France, the public health agency Santé Publique France reported approximately 1,000 excess deaths between June 24 and Saturday, with 85% of victims aged 65 and older. A 40% increase in deaths occurring at home was also noted. At least 74 people have drowned seeking relief from the heat since the crisis began, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.bbc+2

Political Fallout

The French government has faced mounting criticism over its response. According to Le Monde, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu "has chosen to communicate minimally to avoid appearing nervous," while President Emmanuel Macron "has been irritated" by the handling of the crisis. Opposition parties have attacked the government's climate record and preparedness, with Marine Le Pen's National Rally calling for a national air-conditioning plan worth €20 billion to equip schools, hospitals, and households.bbc+2

Lecornu convened a ministerial crisis meeting on June 23 after 40 drowning deaths were reported, and the government expanded its red heatwave alert to cover 54 of France's 96 mainland departments, affecting some 39 million people. A further crisis meeting was scheduled for Monday.france24+2

Climate Attribution

Scientists from World Weather Attribution said the heatwave, driven by a "heat dome" or omega block phenomenon, would have been "virtually impossible without man-made climate change". Europe is warming at twice the global average, according to the WHO. The extreme temperatures pushed up to 18°C above seasonal averages in some areas, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.aljazeera+2

Sources (41)