France in grip of killer heatwave as temperatures touch 46

Several people have lost their lives as temperature touches 45.9 degrees in France amid a heatwave in Europe.

The current temperature has crossed that of the 2003 heatwave where maximum temperatures hit 44.1 degrees which killed thousands.

The new record was measured in the southern village of Gallargues-le-Montueux. Before this year the previous record was 44.1C during a heatwave in 2003 that killed thousands.

French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn warned that "everyone is at risk".

France's weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert for four areas.

Hundreds of schools were closed across France on Friday and water restrictions were in place.

The French weather service said temperatures of between 37 degrees and 41 degrees were expected across most of France on Saturday.

Parts of the European continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures.