Barcelona has recorded its highest temperature in 112 years, this was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Some stations in Spain recorded temperatures of up to 44°C after western Europe experienced the warmest June on record.
Climate change and heatwaves put additional strain on UK hospitals, experts say
The number of patients being cared for in hospital corridors or makeshift treatment areas in England increased in June, figures show, as heatwaves place an additional strain on the health service, PA reported.
The London Ambulance Service reports increased demand for life-threatening emergency calls. Officials said the data shows that "summer is now putting the NHS under just as much pressure as winter".
Prof Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said: "What we're seeing on the ground is really busy Mondays following weekends of football and sunshine, so please don't delay coming forward for care when you need it, even if it's in early hours on a weekend."
Bea Taylor, fellow at think tank Nuffield Trust, said there is "no doubt" that heatwaves are putting additional strain on the health service. "The health service is used to dealing with the extra pressure that winter brings each year, but climate change means hospitals are now facing multiple shocks throughout the summer months too," she said.
Another heatwave strikes parts of western Europe - in pictures
A cyclist rides past a sign warning of the risk of fire in El Saler Natural Park, amidst an extreme heat warning in Valencia, Spain. Tourists and Parisians cool themselves at Place de la Republique in Paris, France. A woman uses an umbrella for shade near Euston Station in central London.
France to provide emergency aid for fertiliser purchases
The French government said on Thursday it will provide emergency aid for fertiliser purchases and support domestic production, as Middle East tensions drive up costs for farmers already struggling with low crop prices and extreme weather, Reuters reported.
Europe's June heatwave 'most severe ever recorded,' researchers say
World Weather Attribution, a network of climate scientists, said last month that Europe's June heatwave was the "most severe ever recorded" based on a three-day forecast of average peak temperatures over the region studied, AFP reported.
Such a heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" without the influence of climate change, they said. A similar event in June 2003 would have been about 2°C cooler.
Ambulance service in south-west England advises checking on elderly
An ambulance service in the south-west of England has advised people to check on elderly family members, friends and other vulnerable people as Britain battles another heatwave. "Our message really for this week is if you've got friends, family or neighbours that you know that are over 65, check in with them," Adrian South, deputy director of clinical care at the South Western ambulance service, told the BBC.
"Heat can affect people in lots of different ways and people that are older have less perception of their body temperature," he said.
Amber heat-health alert issued in parts of UK
As per the UK Health and Safety Agency's guidance issued earlier this week, parts of the country are now covered by amber heat-health alert, until 9pm on Sunday. The regions affected are the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West, UKHSA said.
Meanwhile, the UK Met Office said the current spell of hot weather is likely to continue into the next week, with today and tomorrow expected to be the hottest days in this heatwave with temperatures of up to 36°C. The temperatures should start very gradually going down from Sunday night.
Great Britain's grid operator issues another warning over power supplies in heatwave
Great Britain's energy system operator has warned that "extreme temperatures" could hit power supplies on Thursday night, as the UK entered its third heatwave of the year. The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a notice overnight asking for extra supplies from power generators to cope with the added demand from households turning on fans and air conditioners to cope with the high temperatures.