Millions of people in France are suffering in extreme heat. At least 18 people have died from heat-related causes in France.

About 40 drowning deaths were reported in France since June 18. Paris broke its June temperature record on Monday with a high of 38.4°C. France's weather service warned of record heat levels on Wednesday and Thursday.

The warning covered more than three-quarters of the country. In some areas nighttime temperatures stay above 22°C. Some regions are staying around 30°C at night.

Schools, trains and sporting events have been disrupted across France. France has limited air-conditioning which makes the heat harder to cope with.

Red weather alerts were also issued in Britain, Spain and Italy. Temperatures pushed beyond 40°C across several European countries.

The World Health Organization's Europe office says over 200,000 Europeans died from heat-related causes over the last four years. Most of those deaths were preventable.