A 68-year-old man has become the first confirmed victim of Andalucia’s current heatwave after dying from heatstroke in Almeria.
Health officials confirmed the man suffered a cardiac arrest linked to extreme temperatures and was treated by emergency crews from the 061 ambulance service before being taken to hospital.
Despite efforts to save him, he later died.
The victim was one of three to be hospitalised with heatstroke across Andalucia on Tuesday, according to the regional government.
Earlier in the day, acting Health Minister Antonio Sanz said three patients were being treated for heat-related illnesses in Almeria, Cordoba and Cadiz provinces.
Authorities had initially hoped all three would recover, but the Almeria patient’s condition deteriorated.
The death comes as Andalucia endures one of the most intense June heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures climbing above 45C in parts of the region.
Official figures from the Junta de Andalucia highlight the growing impact of the extreme weather on public health.
Between May 11 and June 14, emergency services dealt with 427 cases of illnesses linked to high temperatures.
Of those, 130 required hospital treatment while 297 were treated through primary healthcare services.
Sanz urged residents to take the heat seriously.
‘People need to be careful and act with caution,’ he warned, adding that heat-related illnesses are ‘real and concerning’ and can have a direct impact on the body.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
