Madrid, June 3, 2026 – The Europe Today: Spain recorded its highest number of heat-related deaths ever for the month of May, with 101 fatalities linked to high temperatures, according to estimates released by the country’s Health Ministry on Wednesday.
The ministry said the figure represents the highest toll recorded for May since monitoring began in 2015 and is approximately 3.6 times higher than the average number of heat-related deaths registered during the month over the past decade.
The sharp increase in fatalities followed an intense late-May heatwave that brought unusually high temperatures across large parts of the country. According to Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, temperature records for the month were broken in 23 provinces.
Meteorological authorities reported that the heatwave affected extensive areas of the country, with temperatures reaching exceptional levels for the time of year and raising concerns over the growing impact of extreme weather events on public health.
AEMET also noted that parts of the Mediterranean Sea and the Cantabrian Sea recorded their warmest May temperatures since records began, reflecting broader trends of rising sea and air temperatures.
The latest figures have renewed concerns among health and climate experts about the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Spain and other parts of Europe, particularly as climate change continues to contribute to more extreme weather conditions.
Spanish authorities have urged the public to follow heat-safety guidelines and remain vigilant during periods of extreme temperatures, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
