Heat wave: Nearly 3,000 deaths were recorded in Île-de-France during the last week of June, representing a 122% increase in mortality.

In a regional report published on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Public  Health France revealed that nearly 3,000  deaths were recorded in the Île-de-France region between June 22 and 28, more than double the usual figure. This increase in mortality coincided with the heat wave that occurred during the same period.

Health

The country has suffered several intense heat waves in recent weeks. Using a fan, showering with lukewarm water, staying hydrated… these are all good practices that the French have adopted to try to cope with the extreme heat, as best they can and with the resources available to them. But for some, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

In fact, with almost 3,000 deaths,   mortality in Île-de-France more than doubled compared to its normal level during the exceptional heat wave at the end of June,   according to a regional report updated with new data by the French Public Health Agency on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

“In the Île-de-France region (between June 22 and 28), a very high excess mortality rate was observed in the context of a heat wave,”   with a variation of   “+122%, or +1,565 deaths between the expected and observed number of deaths  ,”   the report states. These figures are the most precise to date on the  health impact of the June heat wave in the Paris region, one of the hardest hit in terms of mortality by this event, which was even more intense than the unprecedented heat wave of 2003.

An increase in mortality that disproportionately affects people over 65 years of age.

On July 3, Public Health France had already published an initial assessment of the excess mortality linked to this unprecedented heat wave.   The agency reported more than 2,000 additional  deaths nationwide, representing an increase of approximately 30% in national mortality and more than 62% in the Île-de-France region.   However, it specified that it did not yet have all the data and announced the publication of a new bulletin three weeks after the heat wave ended.

Geographic reference

These new estimates aim to be more comprehensive, as they also include death certificates submitted on paper. The trend shown here corresponds to the number of excess deaths recorded compared to the expected mortality rate under normal circumstances.   According to the regional report, this excess mortality primarily affected   people over 65, who accounted for 82.4% of the registered deaths.   Public Health France also noted that these estimates may be lower than the actual figures.

Read also:

• The heat wave is over, thunderstorms are on the way and a sunny weekend is coming: the weather is gradually returning to mild.
• “One of the most effective items during a heat wave”: what you should always have at home when it’s hot, according to this doctor (it’s not a fan!).
• Intense heat, heat wave… why have these episodes been happening since the end of May?