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France hits record temperature of 45.9C

New record was measured in southern town of Gallargues-le-Montueux - the previous record was 44.1C during deadly 2003 heatwave.

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France has hit its highest recorded temperature - 45.9C (114.6F) - amid a heatwave in Europe that has claimed several lives, reports the BBC.

The new record was measured in the southern town of Gallargues-le-Montueux. Before this year the previous record was 44.1C during a heatwave in 2003 that killed thousands.

Health Minister Agnès Buzyn has said "everyone is at risk".

France's weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert for four areas.

Those are all in the south, but most of the country remains on orange alert, the second highest level.

Swathes of the continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures.

Read more of this report from the BBC.