The Canary Islands have registered 75 heat-related deaths during the first half of August according to the latest data from the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), making the Archipelago the third worst-affected region in Spain as high temperatures continue to take their toll.
The figure puts the Canary Islands third among Spain’s autonomous regions for heat-related mortality during the period, behind only Catalonia, with 575 deaths, and Andalucía, with 105.
Across Spain as a whole, MoMo estimates that 1,108 deaths were associated with high temperatures between 1st and 15th August. This is 146 more than during the equivalent period last year, when 962 deaths were estimated.
Third-highest August figure in a decade
The latest national figure is the third highest recorded for the first half of August since the monitoring system began in 2015.
Only 2018 and 2022 recorded higher estimates, with 1,197 and 1,225 heat-related deaths respectively during the same period. Older people have been particularly affected by the recent high temperatures.
Of the 1,108 estimated deaths across Spain, 1,070 involved people aged over 65, including 659 who were over the age of 85. Women accounted for 670 of the estimated deaths, compared with 438 men.
Canary Islands among Spain’s worst affected regions
After Catalonia, Andalucía and the Canary Islands, the highest totals were recorded in Valencia with 56 deaths, Castilla y León with 53, and Castilla-La Mancha with 41.
They were followed by Aragón with 35, the Basque Country with 33, Galicia and Madrid with 31 each, Navarra with 30, Murcia, Cantabria and Asturias with 12 each, Extremadura with four, La Rioja with three, and Melilla and the Balearic Islands with one each.
More than 4,000 heat-related deaths in Spain this year
Since Spain's 2026 Heat Plan was activated and monitoring began for this year's warmer months, MoMo estimates that 4,191 deaths have been associated with high temperatures across the country.
This includes 123 deaths from 22nd May onwards, 936 during June, 2,024 in July, and a further 1,108 during the first half of August.
It is important to note that MoMo figures are statistical estimates of mortality attributable to high temperatures, rather than a count of individual death certificates specifically listing heat as the cause of death.
The latest figures come after periods of intense summer heat across the Canary Islands, with authorities repeatedly issuing alerts and warnings as temperatures have climbed, particularly in inland and higher-altitude areas.
Residents and visitors are advised to take extra precautions during episodes of extreme heat, particularly older people, young children and anyone spending long periods outdoors.
