Spain's first heatwave of the season has killed more than 200 people in just four days, according to data published on Thursday.
The mortality surveillance system of Carlos III University in Madrid recorded an excess mortality of 212 deaths between Sunday and Wednesday, attributing them to unusually high temperatures of up to just over 45 degrees Celsius.
Wednesday was the deadliest day, with 95 excess deaths - nearly half the total for the four days. Tuesday saw 66 heat-related deaths, Monday 38 and Sunday 13.
Spain records thousands of deaths officially attributed to high temperatures every year. According to the Health Ministry in Madrid, there were 3,832 heat-related deaths nationwide between May 16 and September 30, 2025.
Heatwaves regularly cause a rise in mortality not only in Spain. In numerous instances, it is the combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions that proves fatal.
The heatwave, which has gripped large parts of Europe since the weekend, ended in Spain on Thursday, weather service AEMET said.
Tuesday and Wednesday were among the hottest days ever recorded in Spain for this time of year since records began in 1950, the agency said.
Central and northern regions of the country were the worst affected. The Mediterranean coast, popular with holidaymakers, was largely spared, as were the Balearic Islands, including the holiday island of Mallorca. No heat-related deaths were recorded there in recent days.
