Over 5,000 Died in France Due to Summer Heat in 2023

Health authorities in France revealed on Thursday, February 8, that more than 5,000 people lost their lives due to the summer heat last year.

Caroline Semaille, the head of France’s public health agency, emphasized that the impact of the heat was widespread, affecting everyone in the country. The summer of 2023 witnessed four heatwaves, including ones in August and September, making it the fourth hottest summer on record in France.

Additionally, 2023 was globally recorded as the hottest year on record. France's public health agency reported that 5,167 deaths, accounting for three out of every 100 fatalities, were linked to the heat last summer, with the majority of deaths occurring among individuals over 75 years old. The extreme heat disproportionately affected older people, infants, and children, putting a strain on healthcare systems.

Comparatively, nearly 7,000 deaths were attributed to heat in 2022, a year also marked by the coronavirus pandemic, which may have influenced the numbers.

Following the catastrophic summer of 2003, during which an estimated 15,000 people died, France implemented strict heatwave guidelines. With Paris hosting the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11, concerns have been raised about the potential challenges organizers may face if another scorching summer occurs.

Scientists continue to warn about the existential threat posed by climate change, underscoring the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.