The long heatwave that had been linked to a number of deaths in Italy is starting to loosen its grip, with the number of the 27 big cities on red alert dropping from 25 to 21 on Wednesday and falling to just two, Catania and Reggio Calabria, on Thursday. (ANSA)

There was also a warning that the heat was likely to build again from the start of next week in countries such as France and Germany.

Older people remain most at risk as the heatwave drives up excess deaths across Europe.