Spain recorded an estimated 2,149 heat-related deaths in August, as prolonged periods of extreme temperatures continued to affect the country and other parts of Western Europe.
According to figures from the Health Ministry’s daily mortality monitoring system, known as MoMo, the August death toll was the second-highest recorded for the month since monitoring began in 2015. However, it remained below last year’s record of 2,184 deaths.
Meanwhile, the data show that an estimated 5,234 people died from heat-related causes between May 15 and August 31, making this the highest toll recorded for the period since the monitoring system was introduced.
Catalonia records highest number of deaths
Among Spain’s regions, Catalonia recorded the highest number of heat-related deaths in August, with 1,164 fatalities.
This was followed by Valencia, with 227 deaths, and Andalusia, which recorded 138.
In terms of gender, women accounted for 1,283 of the deaths, while 866 were men. At the same time, older people made up the majority of those affected, with 2,064 victims aged over 65.
Notably, 1,285 of those who died were aged above 85, highlighting the particular vulnerability of older people during periods of extreme heat.
Health risks rise with extreme temperatures
Experts say extreme heat can have serious health consequences, particularly for older people and those with underlying health vulnerabilities.
For instance, very high temperatures can cause heatstroke and can also worsen cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. As a result, prolonged heatwaves can increase the risk of death among vulnerable populations.
Despite the high number of heat-related deaths recorded in August, Spain continues to face the threat of extreme temperatures.
The country’s weather agency, AEMET, has warned that another period of unusually hot weather is expected to begin on Thursday and could continue through the weekend.
During this period, temperatures are expected to rise well above seasonal averages, with highs exceeding 35°C across large parts of inland Spain.
In addition, nighttime temperatures are expected to remain unusually high, with widespread tropical nights in which temperatures stay above 20°C.
Therefore, authorities and health officials continue to face concerns over the impact of extreme temperatures, particularly on older people and other vulnerable groups, as Spain experiences another unusually hot period.
Courtesy of Reuters
