Public Health France also estimates that mortality in July was 20% higher than normal.
French health authorities on Thursday reported two additional cases of workplace deaths suspected of being linked to summer heat waves, bringing the total to six for the period.
“Two fatal occupational accidents possibly linked to the heat were notified to Public health France by the Directorate General of Labour: one observed during the July heat wave, and one during this new heat wave“In early August, announced the public health agency in its latest report to date of heat wave episodes.
Other deaths in Spain and Italy
The agency told AFP that these two deaths were in addition to the other cases mentioned in previous reports, bringing the total to six deaths at work possibly linked to the heat wave. Public Health France did not give more details on the nature of these deaths, their precise date or the identity of the victims. Like other European countries, France was marked this summer by multiple heat waves during which many temperature records were broken.
In other European countries, workers have died because of their exposure to very high temperatures. These deaths, which took place in particular in Spain or Italy, affected, for example, people working in warehouses or agricultural employees. In addition and more generally, Public Health France gave a first estimate of the excess mortality in July in France, estimating it 20% higher than normal. However, this figure does not distinguish deaths specifically linked to heat waves, especially since the month of July was also marked by an epidemic wave of Covid-19. The authorities intend to give a more specific assessment in September.
SEE ALSO – Heat wave in Spain: the Prime Minister evokes “more than 500 deaths” linked to the heat