Spain Records Over 1,000 Heatwave Deaths, Hottest First Six Months Ever

More than 1,000 deaths in Spain have been attributed to a recent heatwave that affected Europe, with the country also recording its hottest first six months on record. Officials reported today that at least 1,028 individuals died from heat-related issues during the heatwave, according to the public Carlos III Health Institute.

This figure represents more than double the 407 heat-related deaths recorded in June 2025, which was Spain's hottest June since record-keeping began, as stated by the national weather agency Aemet. The first six months of 2026 were the warmest in Spain's recorded history, with average temperatures 1.6°C above normal levels, Aemet announced in a post on X today. The agency further noted that the seven warmest first semesters have all occurred within the past 10 years.

June 2026 was identified as the second-hottest June on record, with average temperatures 3.2°C above the norm, surpassed only by June 2025. The heatwave that scorched Europe from late June was described by the World Weather Attribution group of scientists as the most severe ever recorded in Europe, asserting it would have been «virtually impossible» in June without climate change.

During this period, all-time temperature records were broken in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Additionally, June temperature records were set in the UK and Switzerland. France experienced record-breaking average temperatures, including its highest-ever night-time temperatures. Temperatures exceeding 30°C were recorded in Ireland last week, with 32.1°C observed at a weather station in Athenry, Co Galway.