A severe heatwave in France has overwhelmed funeral services and mortuary storage facilities, with undertakers reporting they are unable to cope with a surge in deaths linked to extreme temperatures.
France's public health agency said there were at least 1,000 excess deaths between last Wednesday and Sunday, although officials warned the figure is not yet final and could rise further.
In Orly, near Paris, undertaker Zouhaier Hertelli said his funeral home has reached full capacity, with all 32 refrigerated storage spaces occupied.
"We're completely full," he said. "The rush really started on Wednesday, Thursday and the whole weekend, it was non-stop."
Hertelli said he received around 150 calls over a single weekend but had to turn down every request for storage because of a lack of space.
He added that requests were coming not only from families, but also from nursing homes, police stations and municipal authorities.
Funeral directors say the backlog is worsening as waiting times at crematoria increase, delaying burials and cremations across the country.
Hertelli warned that some families are now facing waits extending into early July, with appointments pushed back because of the volume of deaths.
He has requested permission from local authorities to use refrigerated trailers to expand storage capacity, as existing facilities remain under severe strain.
Health authorities have reported a rise in deaths in nursing homes and among elderly people living alone, who are particularly vulnerable during prolonged heatwaves.
Meteorologists at Météo-France said temperatures, while slightly lower than the record highs earlier in the week, are still hovering around 30°C in many regions and are expected to rise again.
A further increase in temperatures is forecast for next week, raising concerns among health officials.
Doctors and emergency services say the recent heatwave has left many vulnerable people weakened, increasing the risk of further fatalities if high temperatures return.
Dr Sébastien Chopin of SOS Médecins in Melun, south of Paris, said he feared a second spell of extreme heat could have serious consequences.
He and his colleagues reported signing eight death certificates at patients' homes over four days at the peak of the heatwave, four times as many as during the same period last year.
Authorities have urged people to check on elderly relatives and isolated neighbours as France continues to face prolonged periods of extreme heat.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier di...
Iran said it has received overtures from regional mediators aimed at de-escalating the ongoing military standoff between Tehran and Washington....
Music icons Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Burna Boy performed during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to foot...
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
The Philippines and China traded accusations on Monday after their vessels clashed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila said a Philippine sailor was injured, while Beijing claimed Philippine forces started the confrontation.
Armenian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that supporters of the Strong Armenia party offered bribes to voters in exchange for their support.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further regional escalation and possible disruption to global energy supplies and key shipping routes.
Lionel Messi's Argentina face Spain in World Cup final with history on the line. Spain and Argentina meet on Sunday in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing together the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
At least six people were killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru's central Junín region, destroying dozens of homes and triggering a major emergency response.
The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran after two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan. U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the fallen troops as Iran warned of further escalation.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Music icons Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Burna Boy performed during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to football's biggest stage. More than 80,000 fans at MetLife Stadium watched the landmark performance.
The Philippines and China traded accusations on Monday after their vessels clashed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila said a Philippine sailor was injured, while Beijing claimed Philippine forces started the confrontation.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further regional escalation and possible disruption to global energy supplies and key shipping routes.
Thailand plans to complete a 250-kilometre section of a high-speed railway linking the country with China by 2030, as Bangkok strengthens transport links and strategic ties with Beijing.
Azerbaijan has rejected suggestions it played any official role in reported private talks between former German politicians and Russian representatives in Baku, saying the meetings were organised independently.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment