Spain has reported more than 1,000 heat-related deaths following a severe heatwave that swept across Europe, as officials confirmed the country experienced its hottest first half of the year since temperature records began.
According to Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute, at least 1,028 people died from heat-related causes during the recent period of extreme temperatures. The figure is more than double the 407 heat-related deaths recorded in June 2025, highlighting the growing health impact of prolonged hot weather.
Spain’s national weather agency, Aemet, said the first six months of 2026 were the warmest ever recorded in the country. Average temperatures during the period were 1.6 degrees Celsius above normal seasonal levels.
The agency also noted that the seven warmest first-half periods on record have all occurred within the past decade, pointing to a continuing trend of rising temperatures.
June 2026 ranked as Spain’s second-hottest June on record, with average temperatures standing 3.2 degrees Celsius above the long-term average.
The extreme weather formed part of a broader heatwave that affected much of Europe during late June, pushing temperatures to record highs across several countries and placing pressure on healthcare systems and emergency services.
Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group said the heatwave was the most severe ever recorded in Europe. Their analysis concluded that such an event would have been “virtually impossible” to occur during June without the influence of climate change.
Several European countries recorded unprecedented temperatures during the heatwave. Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary all registered new all-time temperature records.
The United Kingdom and Switzerland also experienced their hottest June temperatures since national records began.
France endured exceptionally high temperatures throughout the month, recording its highest average nighttime temperatures on record. Elevated overnight temperatures are considered particularly dangerous because they reduce the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat, increasing health risks for vulnerable populations, including older adults and people with chronic medical conditions.
The heatwave also reached countries that typically experience milder summer weather. Ireland recorded temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, with the weather station at Athenry in County Galway reaching 32.1 degrees Celsius, one of the country’s highest temperatures in recent years.
Health authorities across Europe have repeatedly advised people to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day and regularly check on elderly relatives and vulnerable neighbours.
Climate experts have warned that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense as global temperatures continue to rise. The latest figures from Spain add to growing evidence of the increasing human toll associated with extreme weather events across Europe.
