Paris emergency medical services recorded 109 deaths within a 24-hour period on Friday as France continued to battle a severe heat wave that has placed growing pressure on hospitals and emergency responders. The sharp increase has raised concerns about the health risks linked to prolonged extreme temperatures.
According to local reports, the deaths occurred during emergency interventions at private homes and public places across Paris and nearby areas. Officials said the number was far higher than the usual average of about seven deaths recorded during the same period in a normal year.
The reported figures cover only deaths handled by emergency medical teams. They do not include patients who died in hospitals from heat-related conditions or other medical complications.
Emergency services also experienced a significant rise in demand during the extreme weather. Around 3,400 emergency calls were received in a single day as people sought urgent medical help.
Medical teams responded to about 30 cardiac arrest cases during the same period. Doctors also treated a patient suffering from severe hyperthermia whose body temperature reached 43.7 degrees Celsius, or 110.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Such high body temperatures can become life-threatening without immediate medical treatment.
Health officials said the continuing heat has placed heavy pressure on emergency workers, hospitals, and ambulance services across the French capital.
Separate from the emergency medical cases, city authorities confirmed that one man drowned in Paris’ Saint-Martin Canal on Friday. Officials said he entered the water outside designated swimming hours and outside the supervised area.
French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari also warned about the growing number of drowning incidents linked to the hot weather. Since the beginning of the heat wave, authorities have recorded 55 drownings across France.
According to government figures, about 65 percent of those drownings happened in areas where swimming was either not supervised or not officially permitted. Officials continue urging people to swim only in approved locations where lifeguards are present.
Emergency services covering Paris and the neighboring departments of Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, and Val-de-Marne have seen a sharp increase in activity over the past week.
Public hospital officials said emergency call volumes rose by about 80 percent compared with normal levels. Emergency room visits also increased by 36 percent compared with an average day and were 8 percent higher than the previous day.
Although temperatures have started to fall slightly in some parts of France, the healthcare system continues to face heavy demand from people affected by the prolonged period of extreme heat.
France’s national weather agency has kept the highest-level red heat alerts in place for 35 departments across the country. An additional 34 departments remain under orange weather alerts because of thunderstorms expected to follow the intense heat.
Weather officials expect the remaining red heat alerts to be lifted by Sunday evening if temperatures continue to decline as forecast.
Health experts continue to advise residents to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, drink plenty of water, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, and regularly check on elderly relatives and other vulnerable people.
Older adults, young children, people with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers remain among those most at risk during periods of extreme heat. Medical experts say early signs of heat illness include dizziness, heavy sweating, weakness, confusion, and nausea. Immediate medical attention is recommended if symptoms become severe.
Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that Europe is experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves as global temperatures continue to rise. Public health officials say improving heat preparedness and public awareness will remain important as extreme weather events become more common.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely while emergency teams remain on high alert as France works through one of its most challenging summer heat waves in recent years.
