7,300 excess deaths and counting in France's historically hot summer

France saw more than 7,300 excess deaths during heat waves so far this year, health authorities said Wednesday, as the country has also endured a record number of hot days since mid-June, according to an Agence France-Presse analysis. France has been hit by three summer heat waves in quick succession: a 14-day spell in June, 16 days in July and another lasting 22 days that began in late July and has yet to be officially declared over as of August 18. Together they mean the country -- parts of wh