Recently, heatwaves swept across Europe, with Spain, France, Germany, and other countries experiencing prolonged high temperatures. According to a report by Spanish newspaper Efe on June 25th, monitoring data from the Spanish National Epidemiology Center showed that during the four-day heatwave this week, extreme temperatures caused more than 200 deaths in the country.
These data come from the Spanish National Epidemiology Center’s daily mortality monitoring system, which compares the number of deaths recorded each day with the expected number of deaths based on historical trends. Combining the temperature data provided by the Spanish National Meteorological Agency, the system estimates that the heatwave from June 21st to 24th caused 212 deaths.
Data shows that June 22 and 23 were the hottest days in Spain in June since 1950. Temperatures in some areas soared above 43°C, resulting in deaths of 38 and 66 people respectively. June 24 was the day with the highest number of deaths, with 95 people losing their lives. Regionally, excessive deaths were mainly concentrated in central and northern Spain.
Dr. Diana Gomezes, a medical expert responsible for managing the daily mortality rate monitoring system, stated that these numbers are preliminary data derived from statistical projections and do not represent the actual number of deaths caused by extreme heat. With more death data being processed, the estimated statistical figures are expected to become more reliable in one week.
The Washington Post in the United States notes that this method of assessing how many people die from extreme heat during a particular period has been widely recognized in the scientific community. Since deaths related to high temperatures are often attributed to direct causes such as heart attacks, researchers typically use excess death data to estimate the number of deaths caused by heatwaves.
Spain is considered one of the countries in Europe most affected by climate change. In recent years, heatwaves have become more frequent, and the intervals between extreme hot weather conditions have become shorter. The Spanish Ministry of Health estimates that from May 16 to September 30, 2025, there will be 3,832 deaths related to extreme heat in Spain.
This heat wave is the first such event that Spain will experience in 2026. According to the Spanish National Meteorological Service, 13 of the country’s 17 autonomous regions have issued high-temperature orange warnings, with the Basque Autonomous Region in the northeast receiving the highest-level red warning.
Madrid resident Anna Garces said: “The weather is really hot, making it hard to eat.”
June 25th, Madrid, Spain. Residents and tourists enjoy the summer in La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. IC photo
Spanish media reports indicate that by the local time of the 25th, this heat wave has gradually subsided. Red or orange high-temperature warnings have been lifted in all regions, but health officials still urge people to stay vigilant.
Health experts warn that extreme heat is one of the most deadly weather conditions. High temperatures force the body to work beyond its capacity to maintain normal body temperature, increasing the burden on the heart and kidneys. Heatstroke can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and thirst, and requires immediate cooling. A more serious condition is heat exhaustion, where core body temperature rises above 40°C, which can lead to long-term organ damage or even death.
Reuters pointed out that respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes can all increase the risk, and extreme heat temperatures can also exacerbate the conditions of these diseases.
In addition to Spain, several European countries have also experienced heatwaves. French government officials have warned that some people may swim in unsupervised waters to escape the heat, leading to safety hazards. French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated on the 23rd that at least 40 people have drowned since the start of this heatwave.
French media also reported that three children under the age of 5 died trapped in a car. The prosecution believes that these accidents are related to the hot weather conditions.
German water rescue organizations reported that on June 20th and 21st alone, 15 people in Germany died from drowning. This marks the weekend with the highest number of drowning deaths in the country in over a decade. Italian media reported that during this heatwave, at least five people in Italy died due to the high temperatures, including a 61-year-old farmer.
A study published in the medical journal The Lancet in 2021 estimates that approximately 500,000 people worldwide die from extreme heat conditions each year, and many low-income countries still lack relevant statistics. Another study conducted by Imperial College London estimates that between June and August 2025, extreme heat caused 24,400 deaths in Europe, with elderly residents being the group most at risk of health complications.
Text: Cheng Xu Editor: Xiao Shengshi Reviewer: Xiao Shengshi
