Temperatures across Europe broke records with a high expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit in some cities.

In the UK, officials issued urgent health warnings as it was the hottest day in July in nine years.

The Swiss indulged in water activities to cool off as weather experts warned of the dangers posed by the hot weather‏.

Tens of thousands of people died across Europe in a 2003 heatwave and again in Russia in 2010.

Paris issued warnings for locals and tourists to stay in the shade and drink plenty of water. 

Meteorologists in Spain have placed parts of the region under yellow alert, two notches below the highest.

Locals and tourists in Madrid cooled off in public fountains to escape the dry heat. 

And people in Germany enjoyed the warm summer weather as meteorologists predict the country's hottest summer in 30 years. 

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change, according to the United Nations.