Data from Spain’s Health Ministry showed that 2,149 excess deaths were attributed to heat in August.
The figure makes it the second-deadliest August for heat-related deaths since Spain’s Daily Mortality Monitoring System, known as MoMo, began monitoring heat-related mortality in 2015.
The highest number was recorded in August 2025, when an estimated 2,184 deaths were linked to excessive heat.
The latest figures also reveal the wider impact of extreme temperatures during the summer.
Between May 15 and August 31, Spain recorded an estimated 5,234 heat-related deaths, making 2026 the deadliest summer for heat-related mortality since the monitoring system was introduced.
Catalonia recorded the highest number of heat-related deaths in August, with an estimated 1,164 deaths. Valencia followed with 227, while Andalusia recorded 138.
Older people were among those particularly vulnerable to the extreme heat.
High temperatures can place significant stress on the body and worsen existing health problems, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
Heat-related deaths are not always recorded directly on death certificates because extreme temperatures can aggravate underlying illnesses rather than being identified as the immediate cause of death.
Spain’s monitoring system therefore estimates heat-related mortality by examining mortality patterns alongside temperature conditions.
The figures come after a summer of unusually high temperatures across Spain and other parts of Europe.
Spain experienced several intense heatwaves, with temperatures in some areas rising above 40 degrees Celsius.
The country’s national weather agency, AEMET, reported exceptionally high temperatures during the summer, adding to concerns about the growing health risks associated with prolonged periods of extreme heat.
Spain’s experience is part of a broader trend affecting Europe, where increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are creating serious public health challenges.
Experts have warned that climate change is contributing to more extreme heat events, increasing the risk to vulnerable populations.
Health authorities have encouraged people to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, including staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures and paying particular attention to elderly people and those with existing health conditions.
With more than 5,200 estimated heat-related deaths recorded between May and August, the figures highlight the potentially deadly consequences of extreme temperatures and the growing need for effective heat-warning systems and measures to protect vulnerable communities.
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