Overview

• A sudden warm downburst in the early evening generated near-hurricane gusts and a waterspout off Torrenueva, scattering beach gear and pushing swimmers and small craft offshore.
• Local authorities ordered beaches cleared as 112 handled multiple distress calls and deployed lifeguards, municipal police, Guardia Civil maritime units and Salvamento Marítimo.
• Maritime patrols and private boats rescued at least five people, with some reports placing the total at seven, and escorted drifting kayaks and paddle boards to safety.
• AEMET recorded a rapid jump in Motril to 40.1°C with wind gusts up to 86.8 km/h near 19:50, confirming a thermal downburst as the cause.
• Forecasts signal a gradual easing of heat in parts of Spain, yet southeast coastal zones remain very hot and AEMET maintains very high to extreme fire danger, with municipalities extending cooling measures and officials in Córdoba reporting a heat-related death.