Heatwaves have killed more than 5,200 people in Spain this summer

Spain has recorded its highest number of deaths linked to extreme temperatures this summer since monitoring began in 2015. According to the official MoMo mortality monitoring system, 5,234 deaths were attributed to heat between May 15 and August 31, while 2,149 deaths were estimated in August alone. The 2,149 deaths estimated for August are the second highest toll for the month since the MoMo system was introduced, after the 2,184 deaths recorded in August 2025. The data are estimates of mortality linked to high temperatures, not a tally of people for whom heat was individually certified as the direct cause of death. Between May 15 and August 31, the total of 5,234 deaths represents the highest level recorded by the system for this period. The most deaths in August were reported in Catalonia, with 1,164 cases. This was followed by the Valencia region, with 227 deaths, and Andalusia, with 138.

• Elderly people, most vulnerable

The data highlights a significant difference by age. Of the 2,149 deaths estimated in August, 2,064 were recorded among people over 65 years old, and 1,285 of these were over 85 years old. In terms of gender distribution, 1,283 of the deceased were women and 866 were men. Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke and heatstroke, but can also contribute to the worsening of cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. The risk is particularly high in the case of the elderly.

• The heat continues into September

The problem does not end with August. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET has warned of a new episode of high temperatures at the beginning of September, with values that may exceed 35 degrees Celsius in many areas of continental Spain and with tropical nights, in which temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius. Thus, the balance of 5,234 deaths is a provisional one for the hot season, and the persistence of high temperatures in the first days of autumn may further modify the data monitored by the health authorities.