More than 1,100 deaths linked to Spain’s heatwave, 64 million international visitors in first half of 2025, minor arrested for starting fires in northern Spain and more news on Wednesday August 20th.
More than 1,100 deaths linked to Spain’s heatwave
More than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to a 16-day heatwave that ended Monday, according to an estimate released Tuesday by the Carlos III Health Institute.
Officials reported 1,149 excess deaths in Spain from August 3rd-18th that could be attributed to the scorching temperatures, the public health agency said.
The institute used data from Spain’s Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) that was compared to historical trends.
It also incorporates external factors, such as weather data from the national meteorological agency AEMET, to assess likely causes of mortality spikes.
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Although MoMo cannot confirm a direct cause between deaths and high temperatures, it provides the most reliable estimate of fatalities in which heat was likely a decisive factor.
For July, the Carlos III institute had attributed 1,060 excess deaths to intense heat, a 57 percent increase over the same period last year.
Climate experts say global warming is driving longer, more intense, and more frequent heat waves around the world.
Spain welcomes 64 million tourists in first half of 2025
Spain welcomed 63.7 million international air passengers between January and July 2025.
This figure represents a 6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to data published this Tuesday by Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
In July alone, international visitors arriving from international airports totalled more than 11.7 million, representing a 4.3 percent increase compared to the previous year.
During the seventh month of 2025, passenger arrivals from all major source markets, with the exception of Germany, increased.
Minor arrested for starting fires in northern Spain
A minor has been arrested in the northwestern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela accused of starting seven fires in the city, National Police has reported.
According to other sources close to the investigation, the young man has already been involved in similar incidents.
So far, 32 people have been arrested this summer in Spain accused of starting blazes, and a further 93 are being investigated.
Spain PM’s wife summoned to court again over graft allegations
A Madrid court has again summoned Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife in a corruption investigation, a court spokesman said Tuesday, giving new momentum to the probe that has rattled the country’s government.
Begoña Gómez was ordered to appear in court for questioning on September 11 in connection with the alleged embezzlement of public funds, the spokesman said, without providing further details.
Spanish media reports said the latest development centers on whether an official employed in the premier’s office carried out work for Gómez during her past academic job at Madrid’s Complutense University.
The work could be considered a diversion of public resources — the employee’s time and salary — for Gomez’s private purposes.
Gómez has been under investigation since April 2024 for alleged corruption and influence peddling related to her time at the university.
The probe was opened following complaints from two groups with far-right ties.
Gómez denied wrongdoing during a court hearing in December 2024, saying she “has nothing to hide.”
With additional reporting by AFP.
