Daijiworld Media Network – Madrid

Madrid, Jul 1: More than 1,000 people died from heat-related causes in Spain during June as the country experienced one of its most severe heatwaves on record, officials said on Wednesday.

According to Spain's Carlos III Health Institute, at least 1,028 heat-related deaths were recorded during the month, more than double the 407 deaths reported in June 2025.

The Spanish weather agency (Aemet) said the first six months of 2026 were the hottest ever recorded in the country, with average temperatures 1.6 degrees Celsius above normal.

Aemet also noted that June 2026 was the second-hottest June on record, with temperatures averaging 3.2 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. It added that the seven warmest first halves of the year have all occurred within the past decade, underscoring the long-term warming trend.

The latest heatwave, which swept across Europe in late June, shattered temperature records in several countries, including Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Record June temperatures were also registered in the United Kingdom and Switzerland, while France experienced its highest-ever average nighttime temperatures.

Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group said the extreme heatwave was the most intense ever recorded in Europe and concluded that such an event would have been "virtually impossible" in June without the influence of climate change.