...

Logo Yotel Air CDG
in partnership with
Logo Nextory

Extreme heat linked to more than 1,300 deaths in Portugal in 20 consecutive days

Europe • Aug 22, 2025, 2:32 PM
3 min de lecture
1

The months of July and August in Portugal were marked by several warnings of high temperatures that coincided with a significant increase in mortality.

According to data analysed by the Público newspaper from the Death Certificates Information System (SICO), there were 20 consecutive days of excess mortality between 27 July and 15 August, resulting in 1,331 deaths, a relative increase of 25%.

According to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), excess deaths occurred in all regions of the country, but with a higher incidence rate in the north, central areas and the southern region of Alentejo.

The health authority said that high temperatures were the main factor, fuelling dehydration and aggravating chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, in the most vulnerable people.

Data from the Dr Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute shows that this excess mortality was observed mostly among older people.

World Youth Day pilgrims stand in the Tagus river water by Comercio square in Lisbon, 1 August, 2023
World Youth Day pilgrims stand in the Tagus river water by Comercio square in Lisbon, 1 August, 2023 AP Photo

Of the 34 days of excess mortality recorded in July and August, 29 corresponded to higher than expected deaths in the over 70 age group.

The DGS says that the age group of 75 and over, with the highest burden of disease and the lowest physiological response capacity to heat, were the hardest hit.

The month of July was particularly critical, with two hot spells (1 to 9 and 25 to 31 July).

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) confirmed that it was the 9th hottest July since 1931, "with air temperature values more than 3°C above the monthly average on the 3rd, 4th, 30th and 31st."

Despite the excess mortality, the accumulated data up to 18 August shows that the total number of deaths (77,292) is in line with the same period in 2024 (76,849).

However, this year it was July that stood out for its high figures, whereas in the previous year the peak in mortality had occurred in January, coinciding with the end of the flu epidemic period.


Today

Hungary sanctions Ukrainian drone commander for bombing oil pipeline in Russia
Europe • 11:58 AM
4 min
Robert Brovdi is a key commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Hungary's sanctions will see him face difficulties entering the Schengen Zone, including NATO institutions.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.c
Read the article
European NATO allies set to collectively reach 2% spending target for first time
Europe • 11:39 AM
3 min
The 2% of GDP guideline was instituted in 2014, but allies have recently pledged to up the target for core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/28/euro
Read the article
Poland to build Europe’s first of its kind small-scale nuclear power plant in Włocławek
Europe • 10:56 AM
3 min
Poland’s first small modular nuclear power plant, or SMR, will be built in Włocławek, energy company Orlen announced on Thursday, the first project of its kind in Europe.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronew
Read the article
EU summons Russian envoy after strike damaged the bloc's delegation in Kyiv
Europe • 10:40 AM
4 min
"No diplomatic mission should ever be a target," High Representative Kaja Kallas said in reaction to Russia's latest barrage of drones and missiles.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/0
Read the article
No, Spain’s wildfires were not started on purpose to clear land for construction projects
Europe • 9:47 AM
4 min
Spain has battled several devastating wildfires. The disaster is prompting claims that the fires were deliberately caused to make way for construction projects. Here is why these claims are false.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a
Read the article
Digital euro talks gain speed — but key hurdles remain
Europe • 9:43 AM
5 min
EU finance ministers are racing to agree on the legal framework for a digital euro by the end of 2025, but thorny issues remain, from privacy and data protections to limits on holdings and the role of non-euro countries.<div class="small-12 column text-ce
Read the article
Debunking Trump's account of Russia's failed bid to seize Kyiv
Europe • 9:34 AM
6 min
The US President says Russian troops would have captured the Ukrainian capital in hours in February 2022 had troops not got 'stuck in the mud'. War analysts tell a different story.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://w
Read the article
‘Non-staffers go home’: European Parliament tightens rules on access to its premises
Europe • 9:10 AM
3 min
The days of wandering freely through the European Parliament’s maze-like corridors are over: starting next week, journalists, diplomats and lobbyists will need an invitation to set foot in many parts of the institution.<div class="small-12 column text-cen
Read the article
Finances of people with disabilities are worse in the Balkans and Baltics
Europe • 7:54 AM
3 min
Almost one in four people with a disability in the EU struggles to make ends meet. At-risk-of-poverty rate is higher in the Baltic states and Croatia.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025
Read the article
EU delegation in Kyiv severely damaged by shock wave of Russian strike
Europe • 7:37 AM
4 min
"The EU will not be intimidated," António Costa said in response to the latest Russian attack against Kyiv, which damaged the EU delegation.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/28/eu-
Read the article
Ukraine's anti-corruption chiefs tell EU accession talks would protect them, sources say
Europe • 5:01 AM
3 min
The heads of Ukraine's top anti-graft bodies were in Ukraine earlier this week for a meeting with the Commissioner for enlargement.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/28/ukraines-ant
Read the article
Defence: France and Germany looking at 'best athlete' model to boost European military production
Europe • 4:30 AM
9 min
EU defence production has been hindered by the sector's high level of fragmentation as many member states have historically favoured their own domestic defence industries on national security grounds.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button
Read the article
At least 18 killed and dozens injured in major Russian attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv
Europe • 4:16 AM
4 min
The attack targeted over 20 locations across the Ukrainian capital, authorities said. Rescue teams were on site to pull people trapped underneath the rubble.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-euro
Read the article