Madrid, Spain (Enmaeya News) — Spain is in the grip of an exceptionally lethal heatwave: over the past 16 days, at least 1,149 excess deaths have been linked directly to soaring temperatures, marking this summer as one of the deadliest on record for the country.

The Carlos III Health Institute confirms that these fatalities occurred during an intense heatwave stretching from early to mid-August—rendering it Spain’s most deadly heat event to date.

Previously, the record was set in 2023, when 1,180 deaths were reported between mid-May and mid-July. This year already surpasses that with 1,180 deaths recorded in a comparable timeframe.

These staggering figures coincide with widespread wildfires and escalating temperatures across southern Europe, prompting urgent appeals from officials. Spain’s Prime Minister called for a unified national strategy to address the worsening climate emergency.

With more than 1,100 heat-related deaths in August alone and temperatures continuing to climb, Spain faces a mounting public health and climate crisis. Experts warn that decisive action is needed, especially to protect vulnerable communities, as summers grow hotter and more dangerous.