Figures compiled by the Health Institute showed that an extra 4,175 Italians over 65 years of age died between July 16 and August 15, or a 14 percent rise over the same period last year.

The number was only an early estimate and when figures through August 31 were compiled, the toll was expected to surpass the 5,000 mark, said Donato Greco, head of Italy's National Epidemiological Centre.

Additional heatwave-related mortality was the strongest in Milan, Turin and Genoa, northern Italy's largest cities. For people over 75 years of age and compared to the same period last year, mortality surged by 108 percentindividuals) in Turin, 79.4 percent (316 individuals) in Genoa and 69.3 percent (314 individuals) in Milan.

Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia said the typical heatwave victim suffered from a chronic condition, lived by themselves in small lodgings without any air-conditioning and had a low income.

On August 21 Sirchia ordered an investigation into heat-related deaths with a view to putting together a series of preventive measures.

At the time, Italian media estimated the number of heat-related deaths only at around 1,000.

In Spain, the media have recently been querying the official figure of 107 extra deaths due to the heatwave, suggesting that the toll might be as high as

In France, the official toll was put at 11,435, but funeral directors said Tuesday the final figure would be around 15,000.

TERRA.WIRE