Italy limited work outdoors, France shut schools and Turkey battled wildfires on Tuesday in a European heatwave that meteorologists said was "exceptional" for striking so early this year. Spain confirmed its hottest June on record,

There are heat alerts across Europe as temperatures reach over 40 degrees celsius in many countries, with wildfires breaking out in Turkey and Spain.

Across the continent, temperatures have surged above 40°C, straining power grids, filling hospitals, and triggering emergency measures.