France says it saw 5,700 more deaths than usual in record June heat wave

At least 5,700 more people than usual died in France last month during a historic heat wave, French public health officials say.

France recorded at least 5,700 more deaths than usual during a historic heat wave last month, the public health agency said Wednesday, sharply increasing its estimates of the feared toll from record-shattering temperatures.

Public Health France said the excess mortality, with 36% more deaths that would normally have been expected, was the highest from any heat wave since 2003.