Few European countries were hit as hard by the summer heat of the year as France, where it was the most measured at 46 degrees Celsius, in the southern parts of the country at the end of June.

Now the government has presented a compilation of how many people are estimated to have died as a result of the two heat waves that caused France to boil in June and July, Le Parisien writes.

The elderly were hit harder

The Ministry of Health expects 1,435 deaths out of the ordinary, 567 during the first heat wave and 868 during the second. More than two-thirds of deaths occurred in the age group over 75, while persons in the 65-74 age group were most severely affected in the second wave.

In ministries where the authorities issued the highest warning level, the death rate was 50 percent more than in the others.

Lower figures than 2003

However, the total figure is significantly lower than during the extensive heat wave in the summer of 2003 where almost 19,500 people are estimated to have died as a result of the heat. The Ministry of Health explains the reduction in the fact that preventive measures gave dividends.