Western Europe continues to recover from a severe heatwave that struck in late June, with authorities now preparing for another surge in temperatures. The intense heat dome caused thousands of excess deaths across the region, placing significant strain on health services.

Spain reported 1,029 excess deaths attributed to the heat, while France experienced a comparable toll. Temperatures in France remain elevated, around 30 degrees Celsius, and meteorologists forecast further warming this weekend. French health officials have warned of a possible recurrence of heatwave conditions, prompting hospitals to bolster their preparedness.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu acknowledged the pressure on medical facilities but dismissed recent claims by some Green Party members alleging that heat-related fatalities in France could reach 10,000 during this episode. Lecornu described such estimates as “scandalous” and “undignified.”

In response to the crisis, the French Green Party announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against the government, blaming officials for inadequate preparation both for the heatwave already experienced and for the expected one ahead. Cyrielle Chatelain, leader of the Greens in the National Assembly, criticized the government’s response and held it partially responsible for the heatwave’s human toll.

Hospitals across France are applying lessons learned from last week’s emergency. The Paris-Saclay Hospital, located southwest of Paris, procured its own ice machine after previous treatment efforts relied on large quantities of ice sourced from a nearby fast-food restaurant to cool heatstroke patients.

As Western Europe braces for another wave of extreme heat, public health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of readiness and resource allocation to mitigate further impacts on vulnerable populations.