Europe Gripped by Heatwave: Germany, UK, and France Record Extreme Temperatures

Like much of Europe, Germany is set to continue baking throughout this week with the country in the grip of a major heatwave.

On Sunday, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) said that the usually cooler regions in the north of the country would be affected and even predicted that temperatures could reach 40°C (104°F) in certain parts of the southwest.

The intense heat brings with it an increased chance of severe storms, as in Berlin, where the fire brigade attended around 160 call-outs over the weekend.

Trees were blown over and some of the 300 stages hosting the "Fete de la Musique" music festival across the city were damaged but, fortunately, no serious accidents or injuries were reported.

However, there was one fatality in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt where sudden torrents of rain caused a motorway accident in which a driver lost control of a vehicle. One woman died and four other passengers were injured.

According to the DWD, temperatures are not expected to drop until next week.

Britain's top meteorological authority, the Met Office, has issued a red warning for extreme heat for parts of central and southern England and Wales.

The warning will last from 09:00 on Wednesday, June 24 to 21:00 on Thursday, June 25.

The warning includes not only the major cities of London and Birmingham but also the historic town of Bath.

"It is now likely the current highest temperature on record for June will be broken, this being 35.6C recorded in Southampton in June 1976 and Camden Square in June 1957," the forecaster said.

Two children aged 2 and 4 were found dead in a car in the southern town of Carpentras, with investigators suspecting the deaths are the result of the heatwave.

"The causes of death are yet to be determined, but the heatwave is the leading line of inquiry," said Helene Mourges, the Carpentras prosecutor.

Temperatures on Monday were expected to hit as high as 38 degrees Celsius (101 degrees Fahrenheit) in Carpentras.

French authorities have warned parents not to leave their children in unattended vehicles.

Hottest-ever June night in Paris

Much of France is under the "red alert" for heat, with temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius forecast for some regions.

Meteo France said several towns in western and central France experienced their hottest night ever Sunday to Monday.

Paris experienced its hottest-ever night for June, with the temperature not dropping below 24.2 C (75.5 F).

The French capital broke another June record with 37.7 C (99.9 F) recorded Monday afternoon.