Spain records its deadliest summer for heat-related deaths

Health experts warn that increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves are becoming a growing public health threat across Spain

Spain has recorded its highest number of heat-related deaths during a summer since monitoring began, with 5,234 deaths provisionally attributed to excessive temperatures between June and the end of August.

The figure is the highest recorded by Spain's MoMo mortality monitoring system since it was introduced in 2015. It is also higher than the previous summer record of 4,789 deaths in 2022, while 3,832 deaths were attributed to heat in 2025.

It is important to understand what these figures actually mean. They aren't 5,234 people who died from heatstroke.

MoMo estimates deaths associated with excessive temperatures by comparing mortality data with temperatures and expected deaths. Extreme heat can put additional strain on the body and worsen existing illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney conditions.

In fact, only around 2-3% of the summer deaths attributed to excessive temperatures are thought to be directly caused by heatstroke.

The figures show just how vulnerable older people can be when temperatures stay high. Of the 5,234 deaths recorded so far this summer, 5,068 were among people aged over 65. Those aged over 85 accounted for 3,268 deaths, representing around 63% of the total.

There was also a significant difference between men and women. A total of 3,143 women died in circumstances linked to excessive heat, compared with 2,091 men.

The number of deaths increased considerably as the summer progressed. There were 937 in June, followed by 2,025 in July and a further 2,149 in August.

This came during a summer that has been anything but typical. Spain experienced four heatwaves between June and early August, while temperatures were generally well above normal from the middle of May onwards.

Aemet says this will be the hottest summer ever recorded in mainland Spain. The provisional average temperature was 2.5°C above the 1991-2020 reference period.

And the arrival of September hasn't brought an immediate end to the heat. Temperatures could still pass 35°C in parts of Spain this week, while tropical nights are expected along Mediterranean coastal areas and in the Guadalquivir valley.

Heatwaves are becoming a regular feature of Spanish summers and are becoming more frequent. They are a growing threat to public health.

For people living in Spain, particularly older residents and those with existing health problems, that is worth keeping in mind as the hot weather continues into September.

Image 1: Archive
Image 2: Aemet