Paris and other European cities are seeing temperatures above 40C (104F), levels normally seen across the Middle East.

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

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’.

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

European countries are taking several measures as a deadly heatwave grips the continent