Over 500 die due to heat wave in Spain

Madrid : Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that “more than 500 people” died during a 10-day heatwave in Spain, one of the most intense ever recorded in the country. nSanchez cited figures 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. “During this heatwave, more than 500 people died because of such high temperatures, according to the statistics,” Sanchez said. “I ask citizens to exercise extreme caution,” he said, noting that the “climate emergency is a reality”.