Italy limited work outdoors, France shut schools and Turkey battled wildfires on Tuesday in a European heatwave that meteorologists said was "exceptional" for striking so early this year.

Italy has 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 grips 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.