A pharmacy display board in northeastern France shows 44 degrees Celsius on the 26th. [AFP=Yonhap News]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Europe, which has been gripped by a deadly heatwave, has seen more than 1,300 excess deaths compared to average years.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on the 28th (local time) that "since June 21, more than 1,300 heat-related excess deaths have been recorded in Europe."

Director-General Tedros pointed out that "Heat stress is often called a 'silent killer,' and homes, workplaces, and schools in Europe were not built to withstand such temperatures."

He added, "Due to climate change and global warming, heatwaves that used to occur 'once in a generation' are now happening almost every year. We have already been warned," and noted that the WHO is "encouraging European countries to implement public health measures to prepare for heatwaves."

Prior to the Director-General's statement, authorities in France, which suffered the most significant damage from this heatwave, also reported an upward trend in the number of deaths following the 23rd, which was recorded as the hottest day in history.

According to Public Health France (SPF), the number of deaths from all causes recorded on the 24th was over 1,200, with more than 1,400 deaths per day occurring on the 25th and 26th.

Compared to the daily average of 900 to 1,000 deaths in April and May, this represents several hundred additional deaths per day, totaling approximately 1,000 extra deaths in the three days since the 24th.

The increase in deaths was particularly pronounced in areas under red heatwave alerts. These include the capital region, which includes Paris, as well as the northwestern regions of Normandy and Brittany, and the southwestern regions including the central-west Loire and Bordeaux.

The SPF pointed out that while 85% of identified deaths were among the elderly aged 65 and over, the heatwave is affecting the entire population as excess deaths were recorded across all age groups.

By location, the number of deaths increased in hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences. Notably, since the 24th, deaths at home in the capital region have surged by about 40%. Authorities believe that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly living alone, have been hit particularly hard.

The data released by authorities today is based on electronic death certificates, suggesting that the actual number of deaths may be higher than this initial data.

The heatwave that plagued France for about ten days has eased slightly as a mass of hot air moved eastward. As of 10 a.m. on the 28th, red heatwave alerts remain in effect for only two regions in eastern France.

As cold air flows in from the west and northwest of France, strong thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening at the point where these two air masses collide.

Last night, thunderstorms accompanied by localized thunder, lightning, and hail swept through areas stretching from southwestern France to the Belgian border.

The Eiffel Tower struck by lightning on the night of the 27th [AFP=Yonhap News]