This morning, the French Prime Minister called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers amid the rising heat, as orange heat warnings became active in 60 of the country's departments.

Much of Western Europe was sweltering in a gruelling heatwave on Friday with the mercury expected to continue rising in the coming days, shattering temperature records.

Much of Western Europe was baking in a gruelling heatwave on Friday with the mercury expected to continue rising in the coming days, shattering temperature records.