Europe heat wave: 1,000 excess deaths recorded in France

Europe heat wave: 1,000 excess deaths recorded in France Published June 22, 2026last updated June 28, 2026What you need to know - France has reported at least 1,000 more deaths than average during the heat wave - Germany braces for yet another day of extreme heat, especially in the east - The 'heat dome' currently over Western Europe is forecast to move to Central Europe and the Balkans - A new rapid study says Europe's record heat wave would have been 'virtually impossible' without man-made climate change Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed. Follow here for the latest developments on the June 2026 European heat wave: France: 1,000 more deaths than average in heat-wave struck areas Since June 24, France has recorded approximately 1,000 additional deaths compared to previous months, the French Health Ministry said on Sunday, adding that the figure is not final. "Numerous monthly and all-time records have been broken; Tuesday, June 23, was the hottest day on record nationwide, breaking the record set in 2003," the ministry statement read. More than 1,200 deaths (of all causes) were recorded on June 24, with over 1,400 more on June 25 and June 26 each, the ministry said, adding that there were around 900 to 1,000 deaths per day in April and May. "This increase has been more pronounced in regions under a red alert over the past few days, particularly in Ile-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire," the Health Ministry said. Although all age groups have been affected, 85% of the deaths were people aged 65 and older. Deaths have increased in hospitals, nursing homes and at home, the ministry noted, adding that deaths at home in particular spiked by 40%. "This observation serves as a reminder of the need for measures of solidarity toward people who are isolated or experiencing profound loneliness, including in highly urbanized areas," it said. The ministry stressed that the figures are based solely on electronic death certificates and are therefore non-conclusive, typically representing about 60% of national mortality, with deaths at home particularly a blind spot. Germany sets record temperatures for second day running Germany broke its all-time heat record for the second straight day, with a preliminary reading of 41.5 degrees Celsius (106.7 Fahrenheit), the German Weather Service (DWD) reported. The new record was measured in the town of Möckern-Drewitz in eastern Germany. "It can't be ruled out that temperatures could approach 42 degrees Celsius," the service, which issued a red alert for most of the country on Saturday, said. The previous record was set only a day earlier, when temperatures reached 41.3 degrees Celsius in the southwestern city Saarbrücken. The figures published by DWD are still preliminary and could be revised. WATCH: Extreme heat puts vulnerable groups at risk Heat waves such as the current one in Europe are hard to bear for many people. But certain groups, including elderly people and those without a fixed abode, not only suffer more but face greater risks to health and even life. DW has this video looking at the challenges faced by such vulnerable members of society, particularly with support services under strain amid the extreme weather : Heat wave continues to send European temperature records tumbling From Denmark to Switzerland and the Czech Republic, national records have been broken across Europe on Saturday as the continent continues to swelter in a heatwave. - In Denmark, the Danish Meteorological Institute reported a new record of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Odum, north of the country's second-largest city Aarhus — the warmest day since records began in 1874 - In Switzerland, a record of 38.8 C was chalked in Basel, where the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany meet - In the Czech Republic, Doksany, north of Prague, hit 40.6 degrees Celcius, the highest temperature recorded in the country Central, eastern European countries on high alert The Czech Republic, Hungary and Moldova have issued highest alert levels for the weekend as extreme heat engulfs the three countries. Romania on Saturday became the latest country to issue a red alert, warning residents that very high temperatures would arrive from Monday to Wednesday. Slovakia had already issued a similar warning, saying that the country had experienced record nighttime heat overnight to Saturday with temperatures staying above 26.3 C (79.34 F). Balkan countries are also gearing up to face sweltering conditions in the next few days. At least 193 million in Europe to see temperatures above 35 C — reports At least 193 million people across Europe are likely to experience temperatures above 35 C (95 F) on Saturday, according to an analysis by the AFP news agency. That is up on the some 150 million who were expected to see such temperatures on Friday. Many of those people are expected to be in Germany, where 75 million are predicted to swelter in 35 C heat, while altogether 82 million — virtually the entire population — are likely to face temperatures above 30 C. AFP says that more than 9 million people in Hungary — again, almost the entire population — will be seeing temperatures of more than 35 C. Munich Pride events to go ahead in searing heat Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join a Pride Parade in the southern German city of Munich on Saturday despite the high temperatures. Pride events in the city such as parties and a street festival will continue on Sunday, when extreme heat is also expected. Temperatures in Munich are forecast to reach 36 C (96.8 F) and 34 C respectively over the two days. The Paris Pride, which was also to have taken place on Saturday, has, however, been postponed, with police saying they would close it down to relieve the strain on health services. Another major event in Germany on Sunday, the Ironman European Championship long-distance triathlon, will see the cycling and running courses shortened because of the heat, organizers have said. taking place on Sunday in Frankfurt shortened the cycling and FACT CHECK: Disinformation on heat waves Social media are currently flooded by posts making completely unfounded claims about the current heat wave, ways of dealing with it and its links to climate change. DW has put together a fact check debunking several of these kinds of disinformation: Fact check: Throwing cold water on heat wave disinformation Germany set for another scorcher A record set on Friday for the highest June temperature in Germany could potentially fall just a day later, with the German Weather Service (DWD) saying the mercury could climb to 42 C (107.6 F) in some places on Saturday. On Friday, 41.3 C was recorded in the western city of Saarbrücken, according to preliminary data. For Saturday, the DWD has forecast temperatures of between 36 and 41 C, and on Sunday, eastern and southeastern regions could see peak temperatures of 39 to 41 C. The eastern Lausitz region could even see 42 C on Sunday, according to the forecasters. The rest of Germany is expected to see — slightly — milder temperatures ranging from 32 to 38 C. However, thunderstorms with strong winds and, possibly, hail, are also likely over the weekend, the DWD says, particularly in central and northern Germany. The heat wave is predicted to move eastward toward the start of next week, with temperatures in Western Europe sinking to be more in keeping with normal summer levels. The hot weather is being caused by a "heat dome" of trapped air from north Africa, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. However, climate scientists say the heat wave has been supercharged by human-induced global warming. Heat dome expected to move east over weekend The ongoing heat wave currently affecting Western Europe will move on to Central Europe and the Balkans toward the end of the month, the World Meteorological Organization has said. The Czech Republic and Hungary are on red alert for the weekend, with temperatures of up to 40C (104 F) forecast. Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar said millions of bags of drinking water were being prepared for distribution if necessary. A planned Pride March in the capital, Budapest, is, however, to go ahead, with organizers asking those at risk from the extreme heat to support the event from their homes. In Serbia, huge political rally by the ruling nationalist Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is also to take place. Welcome back to our coverage The DW newsroom in Bonn is picking up its coverage again of the extreme weather affecting Germany and much of Euope as another day of high temperatures is forecast. Like Britain, France and Switzerland, Germany has seen June temperature records broken during the heat wave — 41.3 C (106.34 F) was recorded on Friday in the western city of Saarbrücken, according to preliminary data. But some relief is in sight for Western Europe at least, with the zone of extreme temperatures expected to move eastward over the weekend into the start of next week. DW will bring the latest as Europe experiences what climate scientists say is an inevitable consequence of human-induced global warming. We're pausing our coverage We are pausing our coverage of the heat wave that's sending temperatures soaring in Europe. We will be back with more on the effects of the scorching temperatures on Saturday morning. Some of Friday's top headlines included: - Germany records provisional all-time high of 41.3 degrees Celsius (106.34 degrees Fahrenheit) - France records over 50 drownings amid heat wave - European heat wave 'virtually impossible' without man-made climate change IN DEPTH: What southern Europeans know about surviving heat Most northern Europeans are used to cold winters and relatively mild summers, and perhaps an annual beach vacation in countries like Greece, Spain and Italy. But as humans continue to burn oil, gas and coal, releasing greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, Europe is becoming the fastest-warming continent. And deadly heat waves are becoming more intense and frequent — even in once-cool countries like Germany and Ireland. People living in warmer southern European countries have more experience in managing hotter conditions. Germany records provisional all-time high of 41.3C The German Weather Service (DWD) has recorded a provisional temperature of 41.3 degrees Celsius (106.3 Fahrenheit) in the south-western state of Saarland — the highest ever measured in the country. Several locations in the country also saw temperatures break 40 degrees Celsius on Friday, according to preliminary weather service data, surpassing the previous record high of 39.6 degrees Celsius for June. Germany is expected to continue sweltering under record heat over the weekend, with the DWD warning that local temperatures in parts of the country could hit 42 degrees Celcius on both Saturday and Sunday. WATCH: Europe hits record temperatures: Is this the new normal? Europe has been roasting for days with record-breaking temperatures across the continent. To understand what's going on, DW talked to Armel Castellan, the Extreme Heat Services Technical Advisor at the World Meterological Organization and Theodore Keeping, the lead author of a new so-called "rapid study" by the World Weather Attribution that says the heatwaves Europe is now experiencing are driven by climate change and would not have been possible 50 years ago.