Spain recorded 5,111 deaths attributable to heat between June and August, setting a new official record. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the 4,653 deaths recorded during the same period in 2022, which until now held the record. The Spanish Ministry of Health confirmed that the number of fatalities this summer exceeded the previous all-time high by almost 500 cases. Spanish health authorities were responsible for compiling and publishing this data on mortality associated with extreme heat.
The last three months were the hottest since comparable records began in the country, which according to experts explains the drastic increase in deaths. This new temperature record directly contributed to the wave of deaths that particularly affected vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. The extreme heat phenomenon and its deadly consequences position Spain as one of the European countries most affected by climate change, highlighting the need for more effective adaptation and prevention measures.
