Data from the Carlos III Health Institute reveals Spain has recorded nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths since June 1, marking its highest summer total since 2022.
MADRID: Spain registered nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths from June 1 to August 19, the highest amount during this period since 2022, according to figures from the public Carlos III Health Institute consulted by AFP Thursday.
By comparison, 3,073 heat-related deaths were recorded during the same period last year and 1,890 in 2024.
The number of heat-related deaths in Spain between June 1 and August 19 hit 4,458, the highest level since 2022 when there were 4,520 heat-related deaths during this time.
The figures were estimated using data from Spain’s Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), which tracks daily mortality nationwide and compares it to historical trends.
It also incorporates external factors, such as weather data from the national meteorological agency AEMET, to assess likely causes of mortality spikes.
Although MoMo cannot confirm a direct cause between deaths and high temperatures, it provides the most reliable estimate of fatalities in which heat was likely a decisive factor.
Most heat-related excess deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes caused by the strain of trying to keep body temperatures stable.
Like its European neighbours, Spain has suffered several spells of extreme summer heat this year, contributing to ideal conditions for a string of wildfires.
July was mainland Spain’s joint-hottest month since records began in 1961, according to AEMET. It was also mainland Spain’s driest July on record.
The country experienced some of its worst wildfires in living memory in July, which forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
