Published on : Friday, July 26, 2019
French authorities launched a red alert – the highest state of alert – in the Paris region and 19 other districts and said temperatures were expected to reach 42C-43C in parts of the country.
In France, officials warned people to avoid travelling to work from home if possible. Some nurseries have been closed.
French reports suggested five deaths may have resulted from the high temperatures.
Comparisons were drawn to a heatwave in August 2003 which contributed to almost 15,000 deaths in the country.
France set an all-time high-temperature record of 46C, according to the WMO, and new June highs were set in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Andorra, Luxembourg, Poland and Germany.
Germany also set a new national temperature record of 41.5C, passing the figure set just a day before.
The Netherlands also recorded its highest ever temperature at 40.7C.