Spain has recorded a record number of heat-related deaths for the month of May, according to the daily mortality monitoring system. There were 101 deaths attributable to high temperatures last month, the highest figure for May since the historical series began in 2015.
This figure is 3.6 times the average number of heat-related deaths during May over the past decade. It underscores the growing health impact of extreme temperature episodes outside the traditional summer months.
Health Minister Mónica García noted that the body's lack of physiological adaptation to earlier heatwaves is a major concern. She warned that people do not perceive the risk it entails. According to the Health Ministry, the risk of mortality rises between 9.1% and 10.7% for every degree the temperature exceeds the health risk threshold.
Cumulative data from 2015 to 2025 shows 27,564 deaths attributable to high temperatures in Spain. The deadliest year was 2022, with 4,789 deaths, followed by 2025 with 3,832.