Nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths recorded in Spain, as Germany, France and Italy also suffer

Figures from Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute show that the estimated number of deaths linked to high temperatures between 1 June and 19 August has risen sharply compared with the previous two summers.

During the equivalent period in 2025, Spain recorded 3,073 heat-related deaths, while the figure stood at 1,890 in 2024. The latest total is now approaching the 4,520 recorded during the same period in 2022.

The Spanish figures are estimates produced using the country’s Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), which monitors daily deaths across the country and identifies increases above levels that would normally be expected based on historical patterns.

The system also takes account of other information, including temperature data supplied by Spain’s state meteorological agency Aemet, when assessing factors that could explain increases in mortality.

The figures do not mean that high temperatures have been established as the direct cause of death in every one of the 4,458 cases. Rather, statistical analysis is used to estimate the number of deaths in which heat is likely to have played a significant role.

Many fatalities associated with extreme heat occur when high temperatures place additional strain on people with existing health problems, particularly cardiovascular conditions. Heart attacks and strokes can result from the body’s efforts to maintain a safe internal temperature.

Spain has endured repeated periods of exceptionally hot weather this summer, accompanied by extremely dry conditions that have also contributed to severe wildfires.

July was the joint-hottest July recorded in mainland Spain since Aemet’s records began in 1961. It was also the driest July on record for mainland Spain. ALSO READ: Spain records over 1,000 heat-related deaths as first half of 2026 becomes hottest on record.

The combination of prolonged heat and dry vegetation helped create conditions for some of the country’s most serious wildfires in recent memory, with tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate during July. ALSO READ: Studies says climate change dramatically increased likelihood of devastating Spain and France wildfires.

Spain is far from alone in experiencing a sharp increase in mortality during this year’s European heatwaves.

Germany has reported an estimated 14,000 heat-related deaths during 2026, according to the Robert Koch Institute, putting the country’s toll above that recorded during any complete year since 2016.

Around 9,600 of the German deaths were estimated to have occurred during a single week in late June, when temperatures in parts of the country exceeded 40C. People aged over 75 accounted for the largest proportion of the deaths.

‘In some cases – such as heatstroke – exposure to heat leads directly to death, whereas in most instances, death results from a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions,’ the Robert Koch Institute said.

‘Consequently, heat is not usually listed as the underlying cause of death on the death certificate; instead, statistical methods must be employed to estimate the extent of heat-related deaths.’

Germany’s previous particularly severe year was 2018, when an estimated 8,900 heat-related deaths were recorded. In less extreme years, including 2016, the figure was 2,000 or lower.

France has also suffered a substantial rise in deaths during periods of extreme heat. Santé Publique France has reported more than 7,300 excess deaths during heatwaves so far this year.

Taken together, the latest estimates from Germany, France and Spain alone amount to more than 25,000 deaths associated with extreme heat or periods of exceptionally high temperatures in 2026.

Italy has yet to publish a comparable consolidated national death toll for the summer, with its surveillance system instead providing more immediate and partial mortality indicators. Data for June showed mortality among people aged over 65 running 3% higher.

Across Europe, temperatures have repeatedly climbed above 35C during a succession of heatwaves this summer, prompting public health warnings and putting additional pressure on health and care services.

The final human cost is not yet known. Health authorities caution that mortality figures can continue to rise as the summer progresses, with August and September historically among the most dangerous months for deaths associated with extreme heat.