15,000 died in French heatwave

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.

The updated estimate included deaths in the second half of August after record-breaking temperatures had abated, said Isabelle Dubois-Costes, a spokeswoman for General Funeral Services.

While the bulk of the victims many of them elderly died during the heatwave, others apparently were greatly weakened but did not die until days later.

The latest estimate came after the government on Monday released a report blaming the deaths on hospital understaffing, bureaucratic delays and insufficient care for the elderly.

The government released an official estimate of 11,435, but the Health Surveillance Institute said yesterday those numbers were based on deaths only in the first half of August.