More than a thousand deaths in Spain can be allocated to the heat wave during the month of July alone, an increase of more than 50% compared to the same period of 2024, according to data gathered by a public institute.
The exact number of 1,060 dead represents “57% more than last year,” said the Spanish Ministry of Health on its X account, based on estimates of a system called “momo” (monitoring of mortality).
🔴 1,060 deaths in July due to high temperatures, 57% more than last year.
Heat kills and is a serious health risk. Do not lower your guard: Hydraceate, proté and take care of those who need it most. pic.twitter.com/cKu7JONbfN
– Ministry of Health (@sanidadgob) August 5, 2025
A tool to measure mortality
This tool, managed by the Carlos III Institute, collects on a daily basis the number of deaths in Spain and calculates the gap of mortality from predictable mortality on the basis of the recorded historical series. He then joined the external factors that can explain this gap. Among these factors include the temperatures reported by the National Meteorology Agency (AEMET).
The system cannot establish absolute causation between the deaths recorded and the climatic conditions, but the figures are the best estimate of the number of deaths for which the heat wave could be the decisive factor.
In July 2024, the number of people whose death, according to these criteria, could be assigned to the high heat was 674. It increased to 1271 the following month. “The Ministry of Health is campaigning concerning the waves of heat wave and the importance of protecting itself (…) because we consider that it is one of the risk factors that have the most impact on mortality in this context,” said Minister of Health, Monica García on Tuesday in a national radio interview (RNE).
A new heat wave
According to this “Momo” system, a total of 1180 deaths could be attributed to heat waves and the heat wave between May 16 and July 13, a spectacular increase compared to the same period of 2024, when the number of deaths was 70, the Ministry of Health had underlined in a press release. The country has recorded its hottest month of June ever recorded, with an average temperature of 23.7 degrees, according to the AEMET.
Spain, but also neighboring Portugal, have been struck since Sunday by a second wave of heat wave since the start of the summer, which is called upon to last up to at least the weekend, according to the AEMET. According to experts, global warming explains that heat waves and heat waves are both more frequent, longer and more intense.