Spain records over 1,200 heat-attributable deaths since May as July toll reaches 153
Extreme temperatures across Spain have been linked to 1,213 excess deaths since 1 May, with 153 fatalities already recorded in the first days of July, according to the Carlos III Health Institute's MoMo monitoring system.
Heatwave grips Spain
Spain is in the midst of a severe heatwave, with daytime temperatures surpassing 30°C nationwide and reaching 40°C in several inland areas. The heat has persisted overnight: in Extremadura, all weather stations recorded temperatures above 30°C between midnight and 1 a.m. on 5 June, making rest nearly impossible. Authorities have advised the public to avoid direct sun during the hottest hours, drink plenty of water, and seek air-conditioned environments.
Rising death toll
The Carlos III Health Institute's Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) has linked 1,213 excess deaths to the extreme temperatures since 1 May. In a single 24-hour period, 33 deaths were recorded. June accounted for 937 of those fatalities, while the first days of July have already added 153. The system works by comparing observed deaths with expected mortality for a given period and territory, flagging excesses that coincide with heat episodes. It does not identify individual causes but captures deaths from all causes, including the worsening of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal conditions triggered by heat.
Regional impact
The Basque Country and Catalonia were the hardest-hit regions in June, with 153 and 127 deaths respectively. Madrid (93), Galicia (88), and Castilla y León (90) also saw high numbers. Only the Balearic and Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla reported zero heat-attributable deaths that month. In early July, Catalonia has already recorded 57 deaths, the most of any region, followed by Andalusia (24) and the Basque Country (18). Other regions with early-July deaths include Navarra and Extremadura (9 each), Cantabria, Valencia, and Galicia (6 each), and Madrid (4).
- País Vasco
- 153
- Cataluña
- 127
- Madrid
- 93
- Castilla y León
- 90
- Galicia
- 88
- Andalucía
- 73
- Comunidad Valenciana
- 62
- Navarra
- 54
- Asturias
- 51
- Cantabria
- 50
- Aragón
- 45
- Castilla-La Mancha
- 30
- La Rioja
- 13
- Extremadura
- 7
- Murcia
- 3
- Baleares
- 0
- Canarias
- 0
- Ceuta
- 0
- Melilla
- 0
Provisional data
MoMo's figures are updated continuously as delayed death notifications are incorporated, meaning the current counts are not final. The estimates will be considered consolidated only after several weeks. The system is designed to detect mortality patterns during extreme temperature events, not to certify individual heatstroke deaths.
Outlook
The heatwave shows little sign of abating, and health warnings remain in place. One Spanish news report noted that such extreme heat is expected to intensify in the coming years, raising concerns about future public health burdens.
