France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the severe heatwave that swept across Europe, according to the country's public health agency, which warned the final toll is likely to rise.

Santé Publique France said the figures are preliminary and expect more deaths to be confirmed as data from care homes and private homes becomes available.

Most of those who died were aged 65 and over, although the agency said the extreme temperatures affected people of all ages.

Heat eases but risks remain

The intense heat has started to ease across much of France as the weather system moves east. However, parts of the country's northeast remain under heatwave warnings.

Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the health impact of the heat could continue long after temperatures begin to fall.

"The episode is not finished," she told French broadcaster BFM, adding that the effects of the heatwave could last for up to 10 days.

Europe hit by record temperatures

The heatwave, which began on 20 June, has broken temperature records across Europe, disrupted power generation and damaged infrastructure.

Scientists say it is the worst heatwave ever recorded in Europe and have linked its intensity to climate change.

They warn the continent is warming faster than the global average, making extreme heat events more frequent and more dangerous.

Read more: 

• Europe heatwave moves east as Germany and Poland brace for extreme heat
• Heatwave disrupts France, Britain and Italy as temperatures climb across Europe
• France Heatwave: Hundreds of thousands of poultry die as temperatures soar

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