AKIPRESS.COM - Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic hit their highest ever recorded June temperatures on Wednesday - with more records anticipated to fall as the heat continues to rise in the coming days, BBC reports.

Some nations, including France and Switzerland, are expected to see levels above 40C (104F) on Thursday.

Meteorologists say exceptionally hot air blown in from northern Africa is to blame for the European heatwave.

French officials have issued stark warnings about the risk to life.

On Wednesday, their Minister for Solidarity and Health, Agnès Buzyn, defended the government against claims they are being alarmist about the conditions.

France was traumatised by a heatwave in 2003 which was blamed for 15,000 extra deaths.

Nearly all of country is now on orange alert - the second-highest warning level after red - with local authorities issuing advice on how to keep cool.

Spanish officials have also warned of a "significant risk" of forest fires in some areas.