Madrid, Spain — A stark warning has been issued by Spain’s health ministry, revealing a devastating 87.6% surge in heat-related deaths this year compared to 2024. Between May 16 and September 30, a shocking 3,832 lives were lost due to heat-related causes.
The ministry’s data indicates a particularly severe impact on the elderly, with nearly two-thirds of the victims being over 85 years old, and almost 96% of all fatalities occurring in individuals aged 65 or older. These figures, derived from statistical models by Spain’s Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), are currently estimates and may be subject to revision.
MoMo diligently tracks daily mortality across the nation, cross-referencing it with historical trends and external factors like weather data from the national meteorological agency AEMET. While MoMo cannot definitively confirm a direct cause, it offers the most reliable assessment of deaths where high temperatures played a decisive role. The majority of these excess deaths are attributed to cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, triggered by the body’s intense struggle to maintain a stable internal temperature.
In addition to these broader heat-related fatalities, the health ministry also confirmed 25 direct deaths from heatstroke during the same period. Many of these individuals had pre-existing chronic conditions, were exposed to extreme heat while working or during leisure activities, or lived alone without access to air conditioning – factors that significantly increased their vulnerability.
Scientists globally are sounding the alarm, consistently highlighting how human-induced climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Spain’s experience this year serves as a grim example, as the country endured its hottest summer on record since 1961, with an average temperature soaring to 24.2°C, according to AEMET.
Out of the 90 days of summer, a staggering 33 days were characterized by intense heatwaves. August alone saw a brutal 16-day heatwave, which not only contributed to human loss but also fueled devastating wildfires, claiming four lives and incinerating an unprecedented expanse of land. This particular heatwave was labeled “the most intense on record,” with average temperatures a shocking 4.6°C higher than the norm, surpassing the previous record set in July 2022.
The trend is clear and concerning: nine of the ten hottest summers in Spain since 1961 have occurred in the 21st century. This pattern is not isolated to Spain; other nations like Britain, Japan, and South Korea have also reported their hottest summers since their respective record-keeping began, underscoring a global crisis demanding urgent attention.