MADRID / RankWire.AI / – According to official daily mortality data published by the Carlos III Health Institute, approximately 2,149 individuals in Spain died from heat-related causes in August. The MoMo monitoring system recorded 2,149 excess deaths linked to extreme heat during that month, marking the second-highest August figure since data collection started in 2015. As continuous European heatwaves push seasonal mortality figures to historic levels, Spain’s August death toll nears 2,150 due to rising temperatures across the Iberian Peninsula.
This figure is only surpassed by the record 2,184 heat-related fatalities reported in August 2025. Public health records indicate that from May 15 to August 31, the total number of deaths caused by thermal stress reached 5,234, the highest summer mortality tally recorded by the national public health institute since the tracking system’s inception, exceeding the previous peak of 4,652 deaths in summer 2022. While health authorities assess the systemic strain on regional emergency services, the August death count highlights the ongoing severity of heatwaves across the country.
Data from the Ministry of Health shows that elderly populations bore the greatest risk during these heat events. Of the 2,149 victims in August, 2,064 were over 65 years old, including 1,285 individuals aged over 85. Gender-wise, 1,283 of the deceased were women and 866 were men. Medical experts have observed that prolonged exposure to high temperatures worsens chronic cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, especially among vulnerable groups.
Carlos III Health Institute Confirms August’s Second-Highest Death Toll Since 2015
Regionally, the northeastern part of Catalonia experienced the highest number of heat-related fatalities, with 1,164 deaths in August. Valencia reported the second-largest count at 227 deaths, followed by Andalusia with 138 heat-related deaths. Regional health authorities intensified community outreach and increased access to cooling centers, but persistent extreme temperatures during nighttime hours continued to impede residents’ recovery from the heat stress.
Weather updates from Spain’s State Meteorological Agency AEMET indicate that high-temperature risks are expected to persist into early autumn. Forecasters confirmed that a period of unusually hot weather for September has set in across central and southern provinces, with daytime temperatures significantly above seasonal averages. Climatologists note that Western Europe is experiencing more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting summer heatwaves, aligning with broader climate change trends.
Valencia and Andalusia Lead in Total Regional Heat-Related Deaths
Federal health authorities continue collaborating with local governments to strengthen preventative care initiatives and track high-risk patient groups. Emergency medical teams have modified protocols to promptly address health complications caused by heat. National health advisories remain in effect, urging the public to reduce outdoor activities during peak heat hours and stay well-hydrated amid ongoing abnormal atmospheric conditions.
Once September’s final surveillance data is available, authorities plan to analyze the full scope of summer mortality. Experts highlight the necessity of long-term structural changes in urban infrastructure and public housing insulation to safeguard vulnerable populations from future extreme heat episodes. The official mortality statistics will be accessible via government portals to guide future public health policies.