France estimates May heatwaves caused 300 excess deaths

PARIS, June 30 (Reuters) - France recorded at least 300 excess deaths during ‌unusually early heatwaves in May ‌that triggered amber alerts in 17 departments, French ​Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said the toll was a preliminary estimate based on unconsolidated all-cause mortality data ‌and mostly ⁠comprised people aged 75 and over.

• A first wave hit ⁠six departments in north-western France in May 24-28, leading to an estimated ​95 excess ​deaths there.

• A ​second wave hit ‌western and central France between May 26 and May 30; leading to an estimated 300 excess deaths there, or about 14% more than the expected ‌number.

• People aged 75 ​and over accounted ​for about 230 ​of the excess deaths.

• ‌French weather agency Meteo-France ​said May ​26 was the hottest day in May ever recorded in the country, ​with ‌a national average temperature of 24.9 ​degrees Celsius.

(Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet; Edited ​by Inti Landauro)