The Canary Islands have recorded 51 deaths linked to high temperatures so far this summer, according to estimates from Spain’s Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo). These figures highlight the serious impact of recurring heatwaves, with the government issuing repeated alerts for the archipelago.
Local Situation: Canary Islands
- Total this summer: 51 deaths attributed to heat.
- July: 36 deaths.
- August (so far): 15 deaths.
National Picture: Spain
Across the country, MoMo estimates 2,635 heat-related deaths, a 40% increase compared with 2024 (1,856).
- During the heatwave (3–18 August): 1,149 deaths, almost half of the summer total.
- 17 August: 125 excess deaths, the single deadliest day.
- 16 August: 113 deaths.
- By month:
- August (up to mid-month): already above July’s total.
- July: 1,060 deaths (compared to 672 in July 2024).
- June: 407 deaths (vs. just 32 in June 2024).
- Second half of May: 8 deaths (up from 2 in 2024).
Demographics of Victims
- By age:
- 2,529 were over 65.
- 2,347 were over 75.
- 1,747 were 85 or older.
- By gender:
- Women: 1,579.
- Men: 1,056.
MoMo does not record direct medical causes of death. Instead, it uses statistical modelling, cross-checking mortality data with maximum temperature thresholds that pose health risks, and comparing them with last year’s trends.
Direct Heatstroke Deaths
While most deaths are linked to worsening pre-existing illnesses, heatstroke has directly caused at least 23 deaths this summer, including four workers.
- 2024: 17 deaths.
- 2022: 20 deaths.
- 2023 (deadliest summer): 24 deaths.
With six weeks remaining until the end of the summer monitoring period (15 May–30 September), 2025 is already close to surpassing the most lethal records of recent years.
