local
Europe's record heat has overwhelmed Paris mortuaries and left families in distress
By John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
Every few minutes, the mortuary owner's phone rings. Since a record-smashing heat wave started taking lives and storage space for bodies in Paris and beyond, the funeral directors and mourning families calling him mostly have the same question: Do you have room for one more? With all 32 places in...
Key takeaway With all 32 places in his cold room taken, Zouhaeir Hertelli reluctantly has to gently say “Non,” over and over and over again.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents may be wondering how a heat wave in Europe relates to their own community, but the reality is that extreme temperatures can have devastating effects on vulnerable populations, regardless of location. As Bexar County's own summer heat intensifies, local mortuaries and public health officials should take note of the catastrophic situation unfolding in Paris. The city's mortuaries are overwhelmed, and funeral directors are struggling to cope with the surge in heat-related deaths, particularly among older adults. Similarly, San Antonio's elderly population may be at risk during prolonged heat waves, and it is crucial for local authorities to ensure that adequate measures are in place to support this demographic. By monitoring the situation in Europe and learning from their experiences, San Antonio can better prepare for its own heat-related challenges and work to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Every few minutes, the mortuary owner's phone rings. Since a record-smashing heat wave started taking lives and storage space for bodies in Paris and beyond, the funeral directors and mourning families calling him mostly have the same question: Do you have room for one more? With all 32 places in...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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