PM Pedro Sanchez: 'More than 500 died' from heatwave in Spain

PM Pedro Sanchez: 'More than 500 died' from heatwave in Spain
July 20, 2022, 7:40 pm

Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain (File photo: Council of the European Union Facebook page)

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday (July 20) that "more than 500 people" died during a 10-day heatwave in Spain, the Anews reported, citing the AFP.

Sanchez cited figures, one of the most intense ever recorded in the country, released Monday from the Carlos III Health Institute which estimates the number of heat-related deaths based on the number of excess deaths when compared to the average in previous years.

The institute has stressed that these figures are a statistical estimate and not a record of official deaths.

Sanchez said: "During this heatwave, more than 500 people died because of such high temperatures, according to the statistics."

"I ask citizens to exercise extreme caution," he said, noting that the "climate emergency is a reality".

Spain was gripped by a heatwave affecting much of Western Europe which pushed temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions last week, sparking dozens of wildfires.

Heatwaves often have complex effects on human economies, due to less productivity of workers, disruption of agricultural and industrial processes and damage to infrastructure not adapted for extreme heat - Photo. Pixabay

The blazes forced the evacuation of thousands of people and claimed at least two lives -- that of a firefighter and a shepherd who got caught up in the flames in northwest Spain.

Meteorological agency AEMET said Wednesday (July 20) that the July 9-18 heatwave was one of the most intense ever recorded in Spain.

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AEMET spokeswoman Beatriz Hervella said: "At a minimum, it is the third most intense heatwave in terms of its geographic extension and duration" since modern records began in 1975.

She added that only two other heatwaves lasted longer -- one in July 2015 that lasted 26 days and another in August 2003 that went on for 16 days.

Source: anews

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