A child plays at a water fountain in Duisburg, Germany, 26 June 2019. According to metereologists, temperatures are expected to rise to over 35 degrees nationwide and close to 40 degrees in some areas.
With 38.6 degrees in Brandenburg, the 70 year old heat record in Germany for June was broken on 26 June.
Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic hit their highest ever recorded June temperatures on Wednesday – with more records anticipated to fall as the heat continues to rise in the coming days.
Some nations, including France and Switzerland, are expected to see levels above 40C on Thursday.
Meteorologists say exceptionally hot air blown in from northern Africa is to blame for the European heatwave.
French officials have issued stark warnings about the risk to life.
Photo: EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL
