The surge in fatalities comes as the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) issued amber weather warnings for a fourth summer heatwave, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C across Córdoba, Granada, Jaén and Seville.

Health authorities confirmed that the vast majority of the 241 deaths occurred when extreme heat aggravated pre-existing medical conditions among vulnerable groups, including adults aged over 65, young children, pregnant women, and chronic illness patients.

Direct heatstroke accounted for six fatalities across the region since the start of summer, including five recorded in Seville province.

According to MoMo surveillance records, weekly heat-attributed deaths fluctuated significantly alongside regional temperature shifts throughout July:

• 29 June – 5 July: 43 fatalities

• 6 July – 12 July: 116 fatalities (monthly peak)

• 13 July – 19 July: 41 fatalities

• 20 July – 26 July: 36 fatalities

• 27 July – 28 July: 5 fatalities in two days as temperatures rose again

Aemet forecasters warned that the 2026 meteorological summer is proving exceptionally warm across southern Spain, with daily temperatures remaining well above seasonal averages.

Amber warnings denoting significant risk are active between 1pm and 9pm today, while yellow alerts cover parts of Almería and Huelva. Coastal wind warnings remain active for Cádiz. High temperatures above 35C are expected to persist across the region until Sunday.

Today's weather forecast for Malaga province