Paris was on red alert for high temperatures on Tuesday, with the top of the Eiffel Tower shut, polluting traffic banned and speed restrictions in place as a searing heatwave gripped Europe, reports FRANCE 24.
Mediterranean countries from the Iberian peninsula through France and Italy to the Balkans and Greece have been sweltering in a heatwave for several days, prompting health warnings and alerts about increased risk of wildfires.
Scientists say human-induced climate change is making such heatwave events more intense, frequent and widespread.
Temperatures in France were expected to hit a peak on Tuesday, according to the Météo France weather agency, with the highest extreme heat warning in place in 16 departments across the country.
A total of 68 others were on the second-highest level.
Meteo France forecast very high minimums ranging from 20-24°C "or slightly higher in some localised areas, and maximums reaching 36 to 40°C with some peaks at 41°C".