A tourist walks past a sign that reads 42 degrees Celsius in Palma de Mallorca. According to the the World Weather Attribution group of scientists, human-caused climate change is "unequivocally" responsible for the intensity of a record-breaking heatwave scorching Europe. It would have been "virtually impossible" for such exceptional temperatures to occur in June fifty years ago. Photo: Jaime Reina / AFP / Lehtikuva
International news
France and Spain are preparing for another spell of extreme heat after authorities reported thousands of excess deaths linked to June's record temperatures. Health officials warned the final death toll is still rising as weather forecasters expect fresh heat across parts of western Europe in the coming days.
French public health agency Santé publique France said 2,025 more people died than expected during the week beginning 22 June, when the country's heatwave reached its peak. The agency said deaths increased by 29.1 per cent compared with the previous week and stated the figure is likely to underestimate the full impact because reporting remains incomplete.
The Paris region recorded one of the sharpest increases. Deaths there rose by 62 per cent during the same week. A similar rise was reported in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.
