AN estimated 15,000 people died in France’s scorching heatwave in August, the country’s largest undertaker said yesterday, surpassing the official government estimate of 11,435.

An estimated 15,000 people died in France’s scorching heatwave last month, the country’s largest undertaker said today.

FRANCE’S health ministry said up to 3,000 people may have died across the country from a two-week heat wave.

About 3,000 people have died in France of heat-related causes since abnormally high temperatures swept across the country two weeks ago, the health ministry said today.