Heatwave: Mortality in Ile-de-France More Than Double the Expected Level in June

Paris – 17 July 2026: Mortality in Ile-de-France rose significantly above the expected level during the exceptional heatwave at the end of June. According to a regional report updated by Santé publique France on Friday, around 1,565 more deaths were recorded between 22 and 28 June than would have been statistically expected for this period. This corresponds to an increase of 122 percent.

In total, nearly 3,000 deaths were counted in the region that week. The health authority therefore describes the situation as very high excess mortality during a period of extreme temperatures. The newly presented assessment is based on subsequently supplemented data and is significantly higher than the initial analysis published in early July.

The figures cover deaths from all causes and therefore do not yet allow a precise conclusion as to how many people died directly as a result of the heat. However, they show that the number of deaths during the period under review was considerably above the level expected for the season and the region. Attributing individual deaths requires further medical and statistical analysis.

The particularly stressful weather conditions had begun in mid-June and peaked in the week from 22 to 28 June. Santé publique France had already warned of increasing health risks during the heatwave. Among other things, more emergency treatments were observed for heat-related complaints such as overheating, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

An earlier national assessment had already reported a sharp increase in overall mortality in France for that week. In Ile-de-France, the increase compared with the previous week was initially 62.8 percent, or 619 additional deaths. The current regional estimate, by contrast, compares observed mortality with an expected reference level and therefore reflects the full exceptional excess in the region.

The authority had also found that the number of deaths at home rose particularly sharply from 24 June, especially in Ile-de-France. Heat can affect people of all ages, but those particularly at risk include older people, people with chronic illnesses, infants, and people living in severely overheated homes or working under physically demanding conditions.

The updated data underscore the importance of precautions during prolonged periods of high temperatures. These include drinking enough fluids, avoiding physical exertion during the hottest hours, and maintaining regular contact with especially vulnerable relatives and neighbors. Health authorities will continue to analyze mortality data in order to determine more precisely the health consequences of the heatwave at the end of June.