Europe is struggling under an intense heatwave that has pushed temperatures to exceptional levels, triggering health warnings and disrupting daily life across several countries.
Western and central Europe have been among the hardest hit, with authorities urging people to take precautions as temperatures continue to soar.
Scientists say the weather patterns behind such heatwaves are not new, but they note that these events are becoming more severe in a world that is hotter due to the burning of fossil fuels.
France has recorded its hottest day ever, with the national thermal indicator reaching 29.8 degrees Celsius.
Thousands of homes in northern France have been left without electricity due to power outages linked to a transformer incident.
Schools, transport networks, and tourist sites have been disrupted, with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris forced to shorten operating hours.
Italy has issued a red alert for heat, with 15 cities, including Milan and Rome, under a high-level warning.
Spain remains under heat alerts, with nearly the entire country placed under heat warnings.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has warned that the extreme heat could quickly turn life-threatening, especially for vulnerable groups.
The heatwave has also led to a rise in drowning incidents, with French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu describing it as a 'tragic scourge'.
Heat alerts have been issued in Poland, Croatia, and Hungary, with temperatures expected to continue rising before the heatwave eases.
