Temperature records have been broken in France several times today, as the country remains in the midst of a heatwave.
Just before 2pm this afternoon, a new record temperature of 44.3°C was recorded in the town of Carpentras.
That was slightly over a previous high set in August 2003, according to Météo France forecaster Etienne Kapikian.
Around an hour later, 45.1°C was recorded in the small town of Villevieille in Gard - the first time temperatures had reached 45°C in the country.
A third record high was recorded at around 4:20pm in Gallargues-le-Montueux.
For the first time on record, #France sees a temperature above 45°C. Gallargues-le-Montueux recorded 45,9 °C, and Villevieille 45.1°C this afternoon. In France. in June. @meteofrance https://t.co/EfK5t9eCBd #heatwave #climatechange pic.twitter.com/yxGlfmUtms
— World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) June 28, 2019
The high temperatures came after France issued its highest-level its first ever red level warning for extreme heat.
The system was introduced in 2004 after 15,000 people died in a heatwave.
A number of precautionary measures have been put in place during the heatwave - including closing schools and setting up cool-off areas in cities and parks.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said: "Measures have been taken for the most vulnerable people.
"But given the intensity of the heatwave, it's the entire population who must be careful today - both for oneself and for loved ones and neighbours."
Extreme temperature warnings were also in place today for more than a dozen cities in Italy – including Florence, Rome and Turin.
Countries such as Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have also seen record temperatures this week.
