The French capital, Paris on Thursday witnessed a record-breaking high temperature of 42.6 C. amid a heatwave which has broken long-standing records across Western Europe.

Germany also set a new national temperature record of 41.5 C, passing the figure set just a day before, with the United Kingdom recording a July temperature of 38.1 C.

The UK is expecting to also break the 38.1 C record, having already reached 37.7 C at Kew Gardens in west London and Writtle in Essex on Thursday, making it Britain’s hottest ever day in July and the second hottest day of all time.

A record which had stood for 75 years was broken in the Netherlands, with the Dutch weather service, Weerplaza reporting that a temperature of 39.3 C was recorded in the southern city of Eindhoven.

Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute has also issued ‘code red’ warnings across most of the country, urging people to take extra precautions during the extremely high temperatures.

Scientists have expressed concern that rapid global warming linked to the use of fossil fuels has serious implications on temperature rise, with consequences on the stability of the planet’s climate.