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Spain and Portugal Heatwave Linked to Over 2,200 Deaths, fuels Devastating Wildfires
The fires ravaged 400,000 hectares in Spain and Portugal
A recent heatwave impacting Spain and Portugal is estimated to have contributed to 1,149 deaths in August alone, according to data from the carlos III public health research institute. the institute’s monitoring mortality (momo) system tracks daily mortality rates against ancient averages, factoring in temperature data provided by AEMET, Spain’s national meteorological agency.
While the system cannot definitively establish a causal link between deaths and the heatwave, the figures represent the most accurate estimate of fatalities where the heatwave was a important contributing factor. In July, the momo system attributed approximately 1,060 deaths to heat, representing a more than 50% increase compared to July 2024.
The extreme heat has exacerbated widespread forest fires currently burning across Spain and Portugal,resulting in eight confirmed fatalities – four in each country – and the destruction of over 400,000 hectares of land.
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Heat wave in Spain: mortality attributed to sharp heat waves
