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First Post
8 hours ago
- Climate
- First Post
Spain's third-longest heat wave on record kills over 1,100 as country continues to battle wildfires
Even as the heatwave subsided, wildfires across the north of Spain forced repeated evacuations. Nearly 2,000 troops have been deployed nationwide, with support from France, Italy and the Netherlands The death toll from the wildfires in Spain is well over 1,100. Reuters Spain's latest heatwave has been linked to more than 1,100 deaths, according to government figures released on Tuesday (August 19), as vast wildfires continued to burn in the north of the country. The Carlos III Health Institute reported 1,149 excess deaths between 3 and 18 August, a period marked by extreme temperatures. The estimate, based on data from the national Mortality Monitoring System, compared mortality figures against historical trends and incorporated weather data from Spain's meteorological agency. While the system does not directly confirm that heat was the cause of death, officials said it offers the most reliable assessment of heat-related fatalities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The agency had already linked 1,060 excess deaths to July's heatwave – a 57 per cent rise on the same period last year – underscoring warnings from climate scientists that global warming is making such extreme weather longer, more frequent and more intense. Forest fires force evacuations Even as the heatwave subsided on Monday, wildfires across the north of Spain forced repeated evacuations. Prime minister Pedro Sánchez visited the command post at Jarilla in Cáceres on Tuesday and declared the worst-hit areas 'disaster zones'. Nearly 2,000 troops have been deployed nationwide, with support from France, Italy and the Netherlands. The most pressing situation was in Palencia, where residents of Cardaño de Arriba were evacuated for the second time in three days. Fires spreading from Barniedo de la Reina in León have crossed the Mazobre valley and now threaten the Alto Carrión area. Regional officials in Castilla y León declared a severity index of PGI 2, which signals direct risk to people and property, according to a report by SUR. Seven level 2 fires – including in Boca de Huérgano, Yeres, Llamas de Cabrera and Caín de Valdeón – remained active in the region, alongside four smaller blazes at level 1. Improved weather has allowed residents of 18 villages in León province to return home, though the risk persists. Anger over response Public frustration at the scale of the destruction has fuelled protests. A rally under the slogan 'Against the fire of inaction: Prevention and resources now!' is set to take place on Wednesday evening in Valladolid, with organisers calling for greater investment in firefighting capacity and the resignation of the regional leadership in Castilla y León. The Jarilla blaze in Extremadura remains one of the largest and most destructive, burning for more than a week and destroying 15,600 hectares. The fire has spread into Salamanca province and is advancing towards Jerte and Tornavacas, forcing thousands of people from their homes. While some residents, such as those from Rebollar, have been able to return after days in temporary shelters, communities in Jerte, Navaconcejo, Tornavacas, Cabezuela del Valle and parts of Hervás remain displaced. With two active fronts and worsening conditions, officials warned that the crisis is far from over. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
GMA Network
a day ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
More than 1,100 deaths linked to Spain's heatwave
A woman carries an umbrella for shade from the heat as she walks around El Born, in Barcelona, Spain, August 9, 2025. REUTERS/ Bruna Casas MADRID — More than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to a 16-day heatwave that ended Monday, according to an estimate released Tuesday by the Carlos III Health Institute. Officials reported 1,149 excess deaths in Spain from August 3 to 18 that could be attributed to the scorching temperatures, the public health agency said. The institute used data from Spain's Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) that was compared to historical trends. It also incorporates external factors, such as weather data from the national meteorological agency AEMET, to assess likely causes of mortality spikes. Although MoMo cannot confirm a direct cause between deaths and high temperatures, it provides the most reliable estimate of fatalities in which heat was likely a decisive factor. For July, the Carlos III institute had attributed 1,060 excess deaths to intense heat, a 57 percent increase over the same period last year. Climate experts say global warming is driving longer, more intense, and more frequent heat waves around the world. — Agence France-Presse
Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
More than 1,100 deaths linked to Spain's heatwave
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Officials reported 1,149 excess deaths in Spain from Aug 3-18 that could be attributed to scorching temperatures in the country. MADRID - More than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to a 16-day heatwave that ended on Aug 18, according to an estimate released on Aug 19 by the Carlos III Health Institute. Officials reported 1,149 excess deaths in Spain from Aug 3-18 that could be attributed to the scorching temperatures, the public health agency said. The institute used data from Spain's Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) that was compared to historical trends. It also incorporates external factors, such as weather data from the national meteorological agency AEMET, to assess likely causes of mortality spikes. Although MoMo cannot confirm a direct cause between deaths and high temperatures, it provides the most reliable estimate of fatalities in which heat was likely a decisive factor. For July, the Carlos III institute had attributed 1,060 excess deaths to intense heat, a 57 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. Climate experts say global warming is driving longer, more intense, and more frequent heatwaves around the world. AFP
