Italy banned outdoor work in some regions during the warmest hours, France shut schools and part of the Eiffel Tower and Spain confirmed its hottest June on record as a severe heatwave gripped Europe,

Fires have broken out in several locations across Italy, with the most critical areas around Caserta and Naples. While in France, wildfires are burning in the Corbieres region of Aude in the south of the country.

A punishing heatwave has gripped southern Europe, prompting authorities to issue health and wildfire warnings as temperatures are expected to soar again.