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The June 2025 heatwave in Spain has sadly claimed its first victim in Andalucía: a 58-year-old man who developed heatstroke in the municipality of Cordoba on Saturday June 21 and died just a few short hours later.

 

This death occurred on the first official day of summer, when temperatures reached a high of 40.4ºC at the Córdoba Airport weather station.

 

According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), Saturday was the third consecutive day with highs above 40ºC. An orange alert for high temperatures was issued in Cordoba again on Sunday June 22 and remains in place on Monday June 23, when the mercury in most of southern Spain is expected to climb.

 

The Andalucían Regional Government issued a statement late Sunday afternoon explaining that the deceased “had been working on installing a neon sign on the street.”

 

“This is the first death from heat stroke this season in Andalucía," the statement reiterated.

 

"Since the activation of the Andalucían Coordination Protocol against the effects of Excessive Temperatures on Health on May 16, eight cases of patients suffering from heat stroke have been recorded in the community, four of which have required hospital admission. These cases have occurred in the provinces of Huelva, Seville, Almería, Cádiz (2), Jaén and two in Córdoba (one is the deceased)," continued the official communication from the Ministry of Health.

 

The Protocol, which will remain in place until September 30, looks at the heatwave prediction based on information provided by Aemet and the alert levels based on the degree of risk from excessive temperatures. It uses this knowledge to advise the public, particularly vulnerable groups, of preventative measures they can take to stay safe.

 

The information also guides which kinds of public works are allowed to be carried out when temperatures approach unsafe levels.

 

To cope with high temperatures, Health and Consumer Affairs recommends avoiding direct sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day as much as possible; and if you must go out, do so with maximum protection; wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; stay well hydrated; eat fruits and vegetables, etc.

 

People whose work involves sun exposure are advised to moderate physical exertion during the hottest hours.

 

Across Spain, there’s a dedicated National Heat Alert System that lets users know when “above-average” temperatures are expected. And now, thanks to a suggestion from the British Embassy in Madrid, an English-language version has just been launched so everyone can stay up to date.

 

 

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