France's public health authority, under the Ministry of Health, on June 30 released preliminary data showing at least 1,000 excess deaths during the intense heatwave gripping Europe. Most victims were aged 65 and older, but the agency warned that extreme temperatures affect the entire population.
According to AFP estimates, at least 191 million people in Europe were forecast to experience temperatures of 35°C or higher on June 30. The heat was especially severe in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, as well as Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, and western Ukraine.
In France, the meteorological agency said extreme conditions have eased in most areas, but some northeastern regions remain under heat warnings. French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune that the heatwave's impact could last up to 10 days. She said on BFM: "This one isn't over yet."
Meanwhile in Germany, news agency dpa reported at least seven drowning deaths over the weekend as people flocked to rivers and lakes to cool off. Berlin police confirmed at least two people died in separate drowning incidents on Saturday. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), temperatures in Kubschuetz (eastern Germany) did not drop below 29.4°C on Saturday night, setting a record for the hottest night in nearly 150 years.
The heat also broke preliminary temperature records in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic on Saturday. Scientists say this heatwave would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change. The direct cause is a phenomenon called an "Omega block" – a weather pattern that holds a massive bubble of hot air over regions for extended periods.
Most of the extreme heat is expected to subside by the weekend, giving way to major thunderstorms.
