About 50 people have died of heat-related illnesses in the Paris region in the last four days, the head of France's emergency physicians' association has said.
In an interview with French television on Sunday, Patrick Pelloux criticised France's surgeon general for listing the deaths as natural.
"They dare to talk about natural deaths. I absolutely do not agree with saying that," he said.
Pierre Carli, head of Paris' emergency rescue services, said it is "extremely difficult to know" at the time of death if the cause is strictly due to heat.
"It is evident that the heat is an aggravating factor with the elderly who are already sick," he told TF1.
About 40 people across Europe have been confirmed as dying of heat-related causes since a heatwave settled over the continent more than a week ago, fanning forest fires, destroying livestock and setting record high temperatures in many cities.
In an interview with French television on Sunday, Patrick Pelloux criticised France's surgeon general for listing the deaths as natural.
"They dare to talk about natural deaths. I absolutely do not agree with saying that," he said.
Pierre Carli, head of Paris' emergency rescue services, said it is "extremely difficult to know" at the time of death if the cause is strictly due to heat.
"It is evident that the heat is an aggravating factor with the elderly who are already sick," he told TF1.
About 40 people across Europe have been confirmed as dying of heat-related causes since a heatwave settled over the continent more than a week ago, fanning forest fires, destroying livestock and setting record high temperatures in many cities.
