Heatwave Claims 3,000 Lives

August 14, 2003

The heatwave in France has caused some 3,000 deaths, directly or indirectly, since late July, France's national health authority said today.

The authority, part of the health ministry, gave the estimate in a statement, which also described the surge in death rates since July 25 "an epidemic of heat-related deaths".

Despite cooler weather in the north on Thursday, hospitals struggled with a flood of mainly elderly people suffering from hyperthermia and dehydration. The strain was set to increase over the long weekend beginning tomorrow.

"I think we can now qualify what is happening as a genuine epidemic," Health Minister Jean-Francois Mattei told France Inter radio.

Hospitals set up refrigerated tents to cope with the surge in casualties and
the medical staff were called back from holidays to reinforce emergency services ahead of an extended holiday weekend.

Undertakers are preparing to work tomorrow despite the fact that it is a public holiday, to cope with the increased number of deaths.

http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/6235185?source=Reuters