France Warns Paris Rooftop Dwellers As Historic Heatwave Raises Death Risk

France 24 described a historic heatwave turning Paris rooftop dwellings into a health hazard, with attic apartments “impossible to ventilate” as zinc roofs retain searing heat.

The report said the temperatures in Paris have been grueling, with record highs for June nudging past 40 C (104 F) during the day and 25 C (77 F) at night.

Al Jazeera

It also cited a study of a record-breaking 2003 heat wave that found living in a Paris attic room directly under the roof increased the risk of death by more than fourfold, according to France's public health agency.

France 24 added that about three-quarters of Paris rooftops use sheets of zinc, which it said absorbs and conducts heat, even as the tradecraft of its zinc roofers is recognized as cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The article quoted Maider Olivier, with The Foundation for Housing for the Disadvantaged campaign group, saying, “Not only are they extremely exposed to heat, but it’s also impossible to create cross-ventilation to get rid of the heat at night.”

An Anadolu Ajansı report said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) urged people across Europe to take the ongoing heat wave seriously and check on vulnerable neighbors and relatives.

IFRC senior officer for climate policy Mary Friel told reporters in Geneva, “We are speaking as another intense heat wave sweeps across Europe,” as health authorities issued heat alerts for dangerous conditions in the coming days.

Al Jazeera

The same report said Friel noted that many urban residents are experiencing little relief overnight and that older people, children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, migrants, homeless people and those living in poorly ventilated housing face the greatest risks.

An Al Jazeera explainer said authorities issued heat alerts across much of the region, warning of risks to health, transport networks and public services as temperatures push towards record June highs.

It quoted Laurie Parsons of Royal Holloway, University of London, saying, “People over the age of 65 account for around 90 percent of mortality from heat stress.”

BBC reported that after days of record-breaking temperatures in France, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist warned there were risks to young people as well as the elderly, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu raised the health alert level to its highest to boost hospital staffing.

“The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Tuesday urged people across Europe to take the ongoing heat wave seriously and check on vulnerable neighbors and relatives as extreme temperatures increase health risks across the continent”

Anadolu Ajansı

The BBC said the ambulance service in Paris had seen four times more cardiac arrests than normal over a 24-hour period, while Rist stressed there were no confirmed figures for the number of deaths linked to the heatwave.

It also quoted Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire telling French TV, “We must not believe we are invulnerable,” and said he was thinking “especially about the youth.”

Al Jazeera reported that France recorded its hottest day on record, with the nationally averaged temperature reaching 29.8 degrees Celsius (85.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and one town exceeding 44C (111F).

Al Jazeera added that the heat has turned deadly, saying “Forty people have drowned since Thursday,” and that French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu linked the deaths to soaring temperatures as people sought relief from the heat.