Heat Wave in France Kills More Than 11,400

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 30, 2003

Heat Wave in France Kills More Than 11,400

The French Ministry of Health on Friday said the heat wave has caused 11,435 more deaths between August 1 and 15 this year than the same period of 2002.

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The French Ministry of Health on Friday said the heat wave has caused 11,435 more deaths between August 1 and 15 this year than the same period of 2002.

The provisional official results, much higher than previous estimation of 3,000 to 5,000 deaths, might still rise in final anddetailed reports to be released in the end of September, said the ministry.

In hard time for weeks with criticism against it for poorly handling the national heat wave disaster, the French government repeated its sympathy for families of victims and pledged more actions at the release of the bad news.

"These are provisional figures but duty to the truth obliges meto make them public right now," said Health Minister Jean-FrancoisMattei.

"The human tragedy linked to the heatwave hit the most vulnerable in our society. I wish to express to their families andloved ones my deepest sympathies," he said.

Elderly people living alone were the primary victims of the heat wave that blanketed most part of France in the first two weeks of August with record-breaking temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius.

"Unfortunately, this figure, which was only plausible several days ago, turns to be a reality today," said State Secretary of Affairs of the Elderly, Hubert Falco.

"It reinforced our determination to advance rapidly in the elaboration and implementation of a concerted policy that will give all cares for the elderly in our society," he said.

Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin called the heatwave "a terrible ordeal for the country and the government with dramatic human consequences that most deeply hurt" the French.

Earlier in the week, the government has pledged to re-examine its health alert and crisis-dealing system as rapidly as possible so as not to let similar catastrophe reproduces.

It also proposed that the French gives up a public holiday to finance better health care for the vulnerable.

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