Last week's heat wave across Europe has resulted in thousands of excess fatalities, particularly among the elderly. At least 3,700 excess deaths have been recorded in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands alone.

French Health Minister Stephanie Rist reported 2,025 excess deaths, a 29.1% increase from normal levels. While those over 65 accounted for the largest share, deaths among 45-64 year olds also spiked.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu faces a no-confidence vote in parliament, possibly on Monday, over his government's handling of the crisis, which forced school closures and train cancellations.

In Belgium, the Health Ministry registered 1,222 additional deaths between June 18 and June 29, a 39% increase above normal, calling it "unprecedented."

The Netherlands reported around 480 excess deaths, mainly in the south and east where temperatures were highest.

The heat wave, lasting from June 20-28, is considered the worst on record in Europe. All-time temperature records were broken in Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

In France, air conditioning ownership rose from 18% in 2023 to 24% in 2025, compared to nearly 90% in the US in 2020. French consumers are abandoning environmental concerns to purchase cooling units, with Carrefour selling 30,000 units on June 22 alone.

The crisis has sparked criticism of governments for failing to implement adequate measures to address rising temperatures, reminiscent of the 2003 heat wave that killed 15,000 in France.

Source: www.dw.com