Spain is facing a deadly summer, with extreme heat taking the lives of 1,180 people between May 16 and July 13, according to the country’s Ministry of Environment. The death toll is more than ten times higher than the same period in 2024, when 114 fatalities were recorded due to heat-related causes.

Elderly and Women Most Affected

The majority of the victims were over the age of 65, with women accounting for more than half of the deaths. Officials attribute the sharp rise in casualties to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, which have consistently exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several regions.

Northern Regions Hit Hard

Northern parts of the country — Galicia, La Rioja, Asturias, and Cantabria — have been among the hardest hit. These areas have traditionally experienced milder summers, but in recent years have seen a dramatic shift in weather patterns.

Spain, like much of Western Europe, has endured successive heatwaves this season, putting additional pressure on health services and vulnerable populations.

Surge in Heat Alerts and Fatalities

In the past 60 days, Spanish authorities issued 76 extreme heat warnings across various regions — a stark contrast to the same period in 2024, when no such alerts were issued.

The sharpest increase in deaths occurred during the first week of July, according to data from Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute. Last summer, a total of 2,191 deaths were attributed to heat-related causes, indicating a worrying upward trend.

Broader European Context

A scientific study published on July 9 found that approximately 2,300 people died across 12 European cities during a 10-day heatwave that ended on July 2. While the findings highlight the broader impact of extreme heat across the continent, it remains unclear if the methodology used in that study is consistent with the approach taken by Spanish health authorities.