Heat waves push mortality and mortuary pressure to the fore; Chartres sits at the crossroads of history and modern strain as France confronts climate fallout.
A record heat wave has spiked deaths across France, with national health data showing at least 1,000 additional fatalities in the days around June 24. Morgues are at capacity, and officials warn the toll will climb as more death certificates are processed. Elderly residents are especially vulnerable while authorities install temporary storage to cope.