Spain Reports Record 101 Heat-Related Deaths in May

Spain experienced an unprecedented surge in heat-related fatalities in May, with 101 deaths attributed to high temperatures. This figure marks the highest monthly death toll recorded since the Spanish Ministry of Health began tracking such data in 2015.

The ministry emphasized that the May mortality rate was 3.6 times greater than the average for the month over the preceding decade. This stark increase underscores the significant health impact of heatwaves, even before the official start of summer. Several cities, particularly in the northern regions of Spain, recorded record-breaking temperatures for May, according to the Spanish meteorological service AEMET.

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This number is 3.6 times higher than the average number of heat-related deaths recorded in May over the past decade.

Globally, numerous European countries have reported their hottest Mays on record this year. Scientists widely agree that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather phenomena, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Since 2015, Spain has recorded a total of 27,564 deaths linked to high temperatures. The years 2022 and 2025 were particularly deadly, with 4,789 and 3,832 heat-related deaths, respectively. AEMET noted that 2025 saw Spain's hottest summer on record, with an average temperature of 24.2 degrees Celsius.

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This highlights the significant impact of heatwave episodes on health, even before the start of summer.