European heatwave causes 1,000 excess deaths in France
According to AFP estimates, at least 191 million people are forecast to experience temperatures of at least 35C in Europe.
France’s public health agency has reported 1,000 excess deaths as an intense heatwave continues to attack Europe.
The agency, which operates under the French Ministry of Health, said on Sunday that its preliminary count of excess deaths found most of the fatalities involved older people, and it expected that the mortality rate would rise as more information was released about deaths in homes and residential care.
The agency added that most of the deaths had involved people aged 65 and older, though the health effects of the extreme heat have affected the entire population.
Since June 20, Europeans have been experiencing an intense heatwave that has caused museums and schools to shut early.
According to estimates from the AFP news agency, at least 191 million people are forecast to experience temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in Europe on Sunday, with the heat particularly intense in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria and western Ukraine will also be affected.
As the heatwave moves into Eastern Europe, France’s weather agency said that extreme weather conditions had diminished in most parts of the country, but some areas in the northeast remained under a heatwave advisory.
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune newspaper that the impact of the heatwave could linger for up to 10 days.
“The episode is not finished,” she told broadcaster BFM.
In Germany, at least seven people have died in swimming accidents over the weekend as the heatwave has sent many to lakes and rivers to cool off, the dpa news agency reported.
At least two people died in separate swimming accidents in Berlin on Saturday, German police said. In another incident, a group in a rubber dinghy found an unresponsive man in Jungfernheideteich, a man-made lake in a public park in western Berlin.
Germany has been gripped by extreme heat for several days, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 40C (104F) in many places.
Moreover, the temperature in Kubschuetz in the east did not fall below 29.4C during Saturday night, according to the German weather service (DWD), making it the warmest night since records began almost 150 years ago.
On Saturday, preliminary all-time temperature records were set in Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic.
According to scientists, the heatwave would have been virtually impossible without man-made climate change.
But the recent intense heat was caused by a phenomenon known as an omega block, caused by a weather pattern that traps a bulging mass of hot air over regions for extended periods.
With most of the extreme heat to wane over the weekend, heavy thunderstorms are expected.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
A heatwave affecting Europe since mid-June has caused an estimated 1,000 excess deaths in France, according to the country's public health agency. The preliminary count identifies older adults aged 65 and above as the majority of fatalities, with the agency anticipating higher figures as additional data emerges. At least 191 million people across Europe are experiencing temperatures of 35°C or higher, with particularly intense conditions in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and parts of Eastern Europe. Germany has recorded seven swimming-related deaths over the weekend and set preliminary all-time temperature records, including the warmest night in nearly 150 years in one location. As extreme conditions move eastward, France's weather agency indicates conditions are easing in most areas, though northeastern regions remain under advisory. Heavy thunderstorms are expected as the heat begins to wane. Scientists note that human-caused climate change increased the likelihood of such intensity, though the immediate cause is an omega block—a weather pattern that traps hot air over regions for extended periods.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
According to AFP estimates, at least 191 million people are forecast to experience temperatures of at least 35C in Europe.
France’s public health agency has reported 1,000 excess deaths as an intense heatwave continues to attack Europe.
The agency, which operates under the French Ministry of Health, said on Sunday that its preliminary count of excess deaths found most of the fatalities involved older people, and it expected that the mortality rate would rise as more information was released about deaths in homes and residential care.
The agency added that most of the deaths had involved people aged 65 and older, though the health effects of the extreme heat have affected the entire population.
Since June 20, Europeans have been experiencing an intense heatwave that has caused museums and schools to shut early.
According to estimates from the AFP news agency, at least 191 million people are forecast to experience temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in Europe on Sunday, with the heat particularly intense in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria and western Ukraine will also be affected.
As the heatwave moves into Eastern Europe, France’s weather agency said that extreme weather conditions had diminished in most parts of the country, but some areas in the northeast remained under a heatwave advisory.
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune newspaper that the impact of the heatwave could linger for up to 10 days.
“The episode is not finished,” she told broadcaster BFM.
In Germany, at least seven people have died in swimming accidents over the weekend as the heatwave has sent many to lakes and rivers to cool off, the dpa news agency reported.
At least two people died in separate swimming accidents in Berlin on Saturday, German police said. In another incident, a group in a rubber dinghy found an unresponsive man in Jungfernheideteich, a man-made lake in a public park in western Berlin.
Germany has been gripped by extreme heat for several days, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 40C (104F) in many places.
Moreover, the temperature in Kubschuetz in the east did not fall below 29.4C during Saturday night, according to the German weather service (DWD), making it the warmest night since records began almost 150 years ago.
On Saturday, preliminary all-time temperature records were set in Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic.
According to scientists, the heatwave would have been virtually impossible without man-made climate change.
But the recent intense heat was caused by a phenomenon known as an omega block, caused by a weather pattern that traps a bulging mass of hot air over regions for extended periods.
With most of the extreme heat to wane over the weekend, heavy thunderstorms are expected.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
France's public health agency reported 1,000 excess deaths during the heatwave Most fatalities involved people aged 65 and older The public health agency expected mortality figures to rise as data from homes and residential care facilities was compiled The European heatwave began on or around June 20 At least 191 million people are forecast to experience temperatures of at least 35°C in Europe Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland experienced particularly intense heat At least seven people died in swimming accidents in Germany over the weekend Germany set preliminary all-time temperature records on Saturday One location in eastern Germany recorded its warmest night in nearly 150 years of records An omega block weather pattern caused hot air to remain trapped over regions for extended periods Scientists stated the heatwave would have been virtually impossible without man-made climate change
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
- France's public health agency reports 1,000 excess deaths during an intense European heatwave that began June 20
- At least 191 million people across Europe face temperatures of 35°C or higher, with Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Eastern Europe most affected
- Older adults aged 65+ account for most fatalities; Germany recorded at least 7 swimming-related deaths over the weekend
- Germany set preliminary all-time temperature records, with one location recording the warmest night in nearly 150 years of records
- Scientists attribute the heatwave's severity to human-caused climate change, though an omega block weather pattern is the immediate cause