Europe's heat crisis claims over 10,000 lives across continent
European heat wave killed over 10,000 people across multiple nations during early summer 2023.
Event / Disaster
Europe June 2023 Heat Wave
A severe heat wave across Europe in June 2023 resulted in over 15,000 excess deaths, with France experiencing 5,764 deaths—the highest toll from any heat wave since 2003. Record temperatures exceeded 40°C in many areas, with elderly populations disproportionately affected.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Jul, 00:15 UTC
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What happened
Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain experience extreme temperatures
Multiple European countries including Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain experienced extreme temperatures during the early summer 2023 heat wave. The scorching weather disrupted transportation, forced school closures, and prompted temporary closure of tourist attractions including the Eiffel Tower.
Nearly two-thirds of heat wave deaths occur among people 75 and older
People ages 75 and older accounted for approximately 3,719 of the estimated excess deaths during the June 2023 heat wave in France, representing nearly two-thirds of the total preliminary toll.
Nearly half of heat wave deaths occurred in hospitals
Of the more than 21,600 people who died during the June 2023 heat wave in affected French regions, nearly half passed away in hospitals, which experienced surges of patients suffering from heat-related ailments. Approximately one-third died at home, with the remaining deaths mostly occurring in care homes for older people.
France records 5,764 excess deaths during June 2023 heat wave
Public Health France reported that regions affected by heat from June 17 to July 2, 2023 recorded 5,764 excess deaths compared to statistical expectations based on previous years. The affected regions recorded 21,674 total deaths from all causes, whereas statistical modeling predicted 15,910 deaths without the heat wave, resulting in 36% more deaths than normally expected.
Paris region records 1,999 excess deaths during heat wave
The Paris region was hardest hit by the June 2023 heat wave, recording 1,999 unexpected deaths—approximately 80% more than would have been anticipated without the heat wave. Funeral service directors reported struggling to find storage space for bodies, with some mortuaries reporting capacity limitations and turning bodies away.
June 2023 heat wave highest mortality since 2003 French heat wave
The excess mortality during the June 2023 heat wave in France was the highest recorded from any heat wave since 2003. The 2003 heat wave had caused an estimated 15,000 deaths in France, making the 2023 event the second deadliest heat wave on record for the country.
France experiences record-high temperatures on June 24-25, 2023
France registered its hottest-ever days on June 24 and June 25, 2023, with a national average temperature of 30°C (86°F). Peak temperatures soared well above 40°C (104°F) in many locations, and overnight temperatures remained exceptionally high during this period.
Over 10,000 excess deaths across Europe during early summer 2023 heat wave
Extreme temperatures across Europe in early summer 2023 resulted in well over 10,000 more deaths than would normally be expected during the height of the heat wave, according to emerging figures across the continent.
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France records 5,764 excess deaths during June heat wave
France's June 2023 heat wave caused 5,764 excess deaths, the highest since 2003.