France recorded at least 300 excess deaths during unusually early heatwaves in May that triggered amber alerts in 17 departments, French Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry said the toll was a preliminary estimate based on unconsolidated all-cause mortality data and mostly comprised people aged 75 and over.
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A first wave hit six departments in north-western France in May 24-28, leading to an estimated 95 excess deaths there.
A second wave hit western and central France between May 26 and May 30; leading to an estimated 300 excess deaths there, or about 14 percent more than the expected number.
