Severe heatwave claims 1,180 lives in Spain in two months

(Web Desk): A severe heatwave in Spain has claimed the lives of 1,180 people over the past two months.

According to Spain's Ministry of Environment, this figure is several times higher than the same period last year, when only 114 deaths were reported.

The majority of those who died were over the age of 65, and most were women. The most affected areas are in northern Spain — Galicia, La Rioja, Asturias, and Cantabria — regions that traditionally experience milder summers.

The ministry stated that this is an exceptionally intense event, marked by historically high temperatures and an unusually high death toll due to the heat.

The report also revealed that between May 16 and July 13, a “Red Alert” was issued 76 times, whereas no alerts were issued during the same period last year.

Last summer, Spain recorded 2,191 heat-related deaths, according to data provided by the Carlos III Health Institute.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Meteorological Department has also reported changing weather patterns. England and Wales experienced their wettest winter in 250 years, and the past three years have ranked among the warmest in the UK's history.

Environmental experts warn that rising temperatures, rainfall, flooding, and sea levels pose a serious environmental threat. UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband stated, “Our way of life is at risk,” and stressed the urgent need for action.