local
Europe's record heat has overwhelmed Paris mortuaries and left families in distress
By John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 Magnolia News
The devastating impact of Europe's record heat wave on Paris mortuaries serves as a stark reminder for Magnolia residents to prioritize heat safety, particularly for the elderly. As temperatures rise in our own community, it's crucial to check on vulnerable neighbors and family members, ensuring they have access to cool spaces and hydration. The City of Magnolia and local public health agencies should also be prepared to respond to potential heat-related emergencies, with plans in place to support those most at risk. Additionally, local funeral homes and mortuaries should review their capacity to handle a potential surge in deaths, as seen in Paris, to prevent similar distress for grieving families. By learning from the experiences of other communities, Magnolia can take proactive steps to mitigate the effects of extreme heat and protect its residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia 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 KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more Magnolia News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Leicester And Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter