France records 2,025 excess deaths at peak of heatwave as Europe braces for more extreme weather

France records 2,025 excess deaths at peak of heatwave as Europe braces for more extreme weatherImage source, EPAByElla KiplingPublished7 minutes agoFrance has said it recorded an increase of more than 2,000 deaths during the last week of a record-breaking European heatwave in June as forecasters warn of further extreme temperatures on the continent in the next few days. Deaths rose 29% in the last week of June compared to the week before, with French health minister Stéphanie Rist adding there had been a "clear increase" in deaths among those over 45.France saw its hottest day ever on average country-wide on 24 June, with temperatures hitting almost 41C in Paris and half the nation placed under a red heat alert.News of the death toll comes with parts of Europe, including the UK, braced for more searing temperatures from this weekend.Third heatwave for parts of the UK is on the way as 30C temperatures are forecastAttributionWeatherPublished15 minutes agoDangerous heatwave scorches US ahead of Fourth of July holiday Published7 hours agoFrance, UK and Spain see record temperatures as heatwave grips western EuropePublished24 JuneBBC Weather says a large area of high pressure is currently building from the Azores towards Portugal and Spain and that by the weekend, heat is forecast to climb across France and southern Britain.And as Europe braces for sweltering conditions, millions of Americans celebrating the July Fourth holiday weekend are already being affected by prolonged extreme heat and high humidity in parts of the central and eastern US.Climate change is driving up temperatures around the world - but particularly in Europe. It is the fastest warming continent, heating up twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service.This is causing increased summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe's water supply, and more intense wildfires.This summer's record-breaking temperatures have already proved particularly deadly...