Berlin: Street parties and music festivals were cancelled and alcohol sales limited in parts of western Europe on Friday, as a deadly heatwave choking 150 million people with temperatures above 35C was forecast to shift eastwards.
Health authorities in Britain and France warned hospitals were struggling with the heat and a surge in emergency calls.
Germany meanwhile saw temperatures break 40C at several locations in the country on Friday, according to preliminary weather service data, breaking the previous recorded high of 39.6C for the month of June.
Five different weather stations saw readings over 40 degrees, including 40.9C in the western city of Saarbruecken, according to preliminary data, the German Weather Service (DWD) told AFP.
Spain has reported scores of heat-related deaths and France has said dozens have drowned, along with several infants who have died in hot cars.
While the heat eased slightly on Friday in some parts of western Europe, countries further east are warning the worst is yet to come.
The Czech Republic and Hungary were on red alert for the weekend, with temperatures of up to 40C forecast.
Balkans countries were also bracing for a tough few days.
Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming driven by humans burning fossil fuels -- and are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.
"I do just want to stick my face in the ice bucket," said Will Evans, 37, who runs a street-food outlet in London.
"It's been slow, slow all week. We rely a lot on office worker lunches, so with them staying home, it's quieter for us."
The authorities across Europe have been recommending people work from home when they can. — AFP
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