A severe heatwave tightened its grip across large parts of Europe on Sunday, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, prompting health alerts, transport disruptions and growing concerns about the impact on wildlife and public safety.

The spike in temperatures is being driven by a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, fuelled by a strong high-pressure system known as the ‘African anticyclone’.

The temperature spike is being driven by a mass of hot air moving from the Sahara, fuelled by a high-pressure ‘African anticyclone’ system.

France, Spain and Germany roll out safety measures amid intensifying heat