MADRID / RankWire.AI / – According to official daily mortality surveillance data released by the Carlos III Health Institute, close to 2,150 individuals died from heat-related causes across Spain in August. The MoMo monitoring system recorded 2,149 excess deaths due to extreme temperatures for the month, marking the second-highest August figure since the country’s data collection began in 2015. As successive European heatwaves continue, Spain’s seasonal mortality rates have surged to historic levels across the Iberian Peninsula.
This August’s death toll was only surpassed by the record 2,184 heat-related deaths reported in August 2025. Public health records indicate that between May 15 and August 31, a total of 5,234 lives were lost due to thermal stress, setting a new record for summer mortality since the tracking system’s inception and exceeding the previous high of 4,652 deaths during summer 2022. As health authorities assess the systemic pressure on regional emergency services, nearly 2,150 heat-related fatalities were registered in August alone.
Data provided by the Ministry of Health shows that older adults faced the greatest danger during the heatwaves. Of the 2,149 victims recorded in August, 2,064 were over 65, including 1,285 individuals over 85. Gender-wise, 1,283 of the deceased were women and 866 were men. Medical experts have observed that high ambient temperatures intensify chronic cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses among vulnerable populations.
Carlos III Health Institute Confirms Second Highest August Mortality Since 2015
Regionally, Catalonia in the northeast experienced the highest number of heat-related deaths, totaling 1,164 during August. Valencia ranked second with 227 fatalities, followed by Andalusia with 138. Local public health authorities have ramped up community outreach and opened cooling centers, but persistent high nighttime temperatures continue to impair residents’ recovery.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) reports that heat risks remain high into early autumn. Forecasters confirm that a hot spell unprecedented for September has affected central and southern provinces, with daytime temperatures well above normal seasonal averages. Climatologists note that Europe is experiencing more frequent, intense, and prolonged summer heat episodes, consistent with global warming trends.
Valencia and Andalusia Show Leading Regional Heat-Related Death Counts
Health authorities at the national level are working with local governments to enhance preventative measures and track high-risk individuals. Emergency medical services have revised protocols to respond swiftly to heat-related health complications, with public health advisories urging citizens to avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours and stay properly hydrated amid ongoing unseasonable atmospheric conditions.
Once September’s final mortality data is available, officials plan to undertake a thorough evaluation of post-summer death rates. Experts emphasize that long-term infrastructural adaptations, including urban planning and improved public housing insulation, are essential to shielding vulnerable communities from recurrent extreme heat events. The official mortality figures will continue to be accessible through government portals to guide future health policies.