Europe is sweltering under a killer 'heat dome' which has already been linked to seven deaths as record-breaking temperatures scorch parts of the continent.Temperatures toppled seasonal records across Western Europe on Tuesday, triggering government warnings over risks to life as millions struggled through an unseasonable spring heatwave. Records also fell in France, where temperatures reached 36 C on Monday in the country's southwest and widely remained above 20 C at night.The national weather service, Météo-France, said a 'heat dome,' with heat held in place by a high-pressure weather front, was producing temperatures more than 10 degrees Celsius above what used to be usual for this time of year.Experts say unprecedented and deadly weather extremes that sometimes strike at abnormal times and in unusual places are putting more people in danger.French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said there have been reports of at least seven deaths potentially related to high temperatures, including five drownings and two deaths in sports competitions.The early heat wave has struck before the annual summer window when lifeguards watch over bathers at popular beaches, increasing risks. A woman fills a bottle with water at the Pantheon in downtown Rome Tourists shield themselves from the sun with hats and umbrellas at the Spanish steps in Rome A pharmacy thermometer shows 35 degrees with the dome of St Peter's basilica in the background during an early-season heatwave in Rome on May 26, 2026 Tourists shield themselves from the sun with hats and umbrellas at the Spanish steps in Rome, during an early-season heatwave A man cools off at the Barcaccia fountain near the Spanish Steps during an early-season heatwave in Rome on 26 May 2026 People gather in Buttes Chaumont park, as temperatures reached up to 35 degrees Celsius, during a period of hot weather in Paris Europe is sweltering under a killer 'heat dome' which has already been linked to seven deaths as record-breaking temperatures scorch parts of the continen A man fills a bottle of water at the Barcaccia fountain in Rome Tourists shield themselves from the sun as they walk near the Spanish Steps during an early-season heatwave in Rome on May 26, 2026 A person jumps into the Canal de l'Ourcq, as temperatures reached up to 35 degrees Celsius, during a period of hot weather in Paris People shield themselves from the sun with an umbrella during a heatwave next to Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, in Milan, Italy A person sits on the dock of the Saone river, in Lyon, on May 26, 2026 as a heatwave hits France. Western Europe faced another day of record-breaking temperatures Tuesday A person jumps off a bridge into the Canal de l'Ourcq, as temperatures reached up to 35 degrees Celsius People use umbrellas as they walk at Plaza de Oriente during an early heatwave hits Europe on May 23 People refill their water bottles at the Jardin des Tuileries garden during a heatwave in Paris, France, on May 25 People refresh themselves by taking a dip in the Canal Saint-Martin, amide a heat wave in Paris Children play with water at a fountain at Plaza del Sol during an early heatwave hits Europe on May 23 People collect water from fountain at Plaza Mayor during an early heatwave hits Europe on May 23On France's Atlantic seaboard, where magnificent beaches have powerful riptides, officials reported a rash of emergencies in the surf, with two drowning deaths on Sunday at popular resorts in the Gironde region in the southwest.The top regional administrator, Sophie Brocas, urged beachgoers 'to exercise the utmost caution.'The unseasonable heat extended to Spain, where weather service spokesperson Rubén del Campo said 'we find ourselves with temperatures we normally see in the middle of the summer now in the month of May.'He said Seville hit 38 C over the weekend, while large parts of the Iberian Peninsula saw temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal.And in Rome, temperatures were expected to reach 32 degrees C on Tuesday.Seven people have died in France, directly or indirectly due to the heat wave, French Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon said on Tuesday, a day after the national weather service recorded the hottest May day in French history.Five of the seven fatalities were people drowning in lakes, rivers or beaches, Bregeon said.The government has ordered local authorities to take measures to protect people during sporting events, she said.France has been experiencing higher-than-average temperatures since Saturday.Most of Brittany has been under an orange level warning by weather service Meteo France, which expects temperatures to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius on Tuesday afternoon.The heat wave is expected to continue on Wednesday and Thursday, Meteo France said on its website.