Key Points

• June and July 2019 were marked by two widespread and intense heat waves, with alert thresholds exceeded between June 24 and July 7 and between July 21 and 27. During these two heat waves, for the first time since the implementation of the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC), 4 and 20 departments, respectively, representing 7% and 35% of the French metropolitan population, were placed under a red alert due to exceptionally high daytime temperatures.

• During the periods when alert thresholds were exceeded and across all affected departments during these two heat waves, 1,435 excess deaths were observed, including 572 in departments under red alert. Excess mortality in these departments is approximately 50% higher than the average for affected departments.

• While the age group of those over 75 is the most affected, the 15–44 and 65–74 age groups are also impacted.

• The first heat wave resulted in 567 excess deaths, and the second in 868 excess deaths.

• Ten workplace deaths possibly related to the heat that occurred during the two heat waves were also reported.