Here are the latest developments in Europe's heatwave.
Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming, and warn they are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.
Germany's weather service warned that "today and over the weekend, the intense heat will spread across all of Germany. In many places—from the southwest and west through the centre to the east—extreme heat is also expected."
The service's map of Germany was nearly completely coloured the dark purple that signifies "extreme heat warning".
Organisers of Paris pride heeded instructions from Paris police to cancel festivities due to take place in the sweltering French capital this weekend, after police warned they would ban them otherwise.
Hospitals in the greater Paris region have been overwhelmed trying to keep up with soaring heat-related emergencies and issues.
At least 150 million people in Europe will roast in temperatures of 35C and above on Friday, according to an AFP analysis.
At least 55 people have drowned in France amid a severe heatwave, the sports minister said Friday, warning the death toll could rise further.
Many of the deaths were young people swimming in unauthorised areas to escape the searing heat.
French state-owned utility EDF said on Friday it would allocate 80 million euros to equip schools, nurseries and daycare centres with cooling systems to help them cope with future heatwaves.
Most French schools are not designed to withstand extreme temperatures and lack air conditioning. The heatwave forced the closure of thousands of schools, with those open struggling to teach pupils -- or to administer finishing exams for graduating high school seniors -- in sweltering classrooms.
Human-caused climate change is "unequivocally" responsible for the intensity of a record-breaking heatwave scorching Europe, scientists said Friday.
It would have been "virtually impossible" for such exceptional temperatures to occur in June fifty years ago, the World Weather Attribution group of scientists said.
French authorities banned public alcohol consumption and sales in Paris from Friday, part of measures to take pressure off hospitals overwhelmed by the health impact of the heatwave.
"We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities," said Paris police prefect Patrice Faure, adding: "the number of hospitalisations keeps increasing."
The UK suffered its hottest ever June day Thursday, with temperatures reaching 36.7C in the southwest, breaking a record set earlier that day.
In Germany, temperatures reached 39C in the southwestern town of Kirrlach, just shy of the June record of 39.6 set in 2019, according to provisional data from the German Weather Service (DWD).
Experts say the record could easily be broken over the weekend.
France's government will grant 50 million euros ($57 million) in fresh funds for retirement homes to install cooling equipment, disabilities minister Camille Galliard-Minier said on news channel BFMTV.
The Netherlands issued its first-ever red alert for heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C in some places.
"The situation is dangerous; follow the guidance from the government and emergency services," the national weather institute said.
The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute issued top level-three heat warnings for Saturday. Temperatures in the southwest could reach up to 38C.
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