The World Health Organization says more than 1,300 excess deaths across Europe have been recorded in connection with a record-breaking heatwave since June 21. Multiple outlets report that the deaths are linked to extreme temperatures that broke records again over the weekend, with conditions reaching beyond 40°C in parts of the region. The Independent and other reports say most of the fatalities involve older people, with around 85% of deaths linked to the heat occurring among those aged 65 and above, and the largest increases appearing in areas under the highest heat warnings. In France, French health officials are also reported as having recorded roughly 1,000 additional deaths than expected earlier in the week, prompting the broader European accounting cited by the WHO. Separately, some reports describe larger “excess deaths” figures for specific countries and the overall period, including figures cited for France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and note ongoing strain on health services as temperatures persist. Taken together, the coverage portrays a widespread, early-summer heat event with clear public-health impacts and renewed emphasis on preparedness and risk during extreme heat.