"Stifling temperatures caused a high number of deaths in Spain, mostly among elderly people. Several hundred, probably well over 1,000, can be linked directly to the heatwave," the paper said.

The exact number of heatwave deaths nationwide remains unclear because statistics are compiled separately by the 17 regional authorities, rather than by central government.

Madrid is seen keen to avoid the criticism that has rained down on the French government in recent days after officials there conceded the record-breaking temperatures may have killed up to 5,000 people across France.

Barcelona-based La Vanguardia said the toll for the northeastern region of Catalonia alone could be in the area of 900.

Authorities in the southern region of Andalucia, where the temperature rose to 47 Celsius (114 Fahrenheit) during the heatwave, said 454 people had died there in the first fortnight of August -- up 56 percent on last year's figure of 250 for the same period -- after the region sweltered for several weeks in temperatures of up to 47 Celsius.

The official nationwide toll had prior to Tuesday stood at a mere 46, the majority elderly people who were already suffering from other age-related ailments.

The health ministry in Madrid told AFP it had called on the regions to provide "as a matter of urgency" detailed statistics on the consequences of the heatwave, and said it was compiling its own count.

A ministry spokesman insisted health services had functioned "perfectly" during the heatwave, which has all but come to an end since the weekend with temperatures dropping back.

In the sole area of Barcelona -- Spain's second city, largest port and a major summertime tourist destination -- the number of deaths increased 60 percent last month compared with July 2002, La Vanguardia reported, quoting regional government statistics, although the proportion directly due to the heatwave is unclear.

Based on undertakers' statistics and registry office sources in about 10 provincial capitals, the number of deaths increased by more than 50 per cent in Spain between mid-July and mid-August, according to El Pais.

Overall, this summer has not been hotter than usual in Spain but it has seen the high temperatures persist longer.

As well as having to deal with the heatwave Spain has also had to cope over the past three weeks with a rash of forest fires that afflicted much of Catalonia, directly causing five deaths, and southwestern Spain on the border of neighbouring Portugal, where the blazes were far worse.

TERRA.WIRE