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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) - San Antonio News
· 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 Alamo Heights News
As Alamo Heights residents cope with their own summer heat, the devastating impact of Europe's record heat wave serves as a stark reminder of the importance of heat safety, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. Locally, this raises concerns about the preparedness of area mortuaries and funeral homes to handle a potential surge in heat-related deaths. While the scale of the crisis in Paris is unlikely to be replicated here, the experience highlights the need for local authorities to review their emergency response plans and ensure that they are equipped to respond to extreme weather events. Additionally, the story underscores the importance of community outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about heat safety, especially among older adults who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. By learning from the experiences of other cities, Alamo Heights can take proactive steps to protect its residents and mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
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) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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