In pictures: Europe's June 2019 heatwave

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Temperatures reached 40C in parts of southern France on Thursday

People across Europe are searching for ways to keep cool amid soaring temperatures.

A heatwave - caused by a plume of hot air from the Sahara, according to meteorologists - is sweeping parts of the continent, with Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic seeing their highest ever June temperatures on Wednesday, and intense heat in the southwest on Thursday.

As temperatures topped 40C (104F) in some parts of northern Spain, the region of Catalonia's worst wildfires in 20 years seemed likely to spread rapidly.

It looks likely it will get hotter still, with possible record temperatures in France in the coming days.

Image source, AFP

Image caption, The fire near the Catalan town of La Torre de l'Espanyol has already affected at least 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres)

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Firefighters have been battling the blazes since Wednesday

Image source, EPA

Image caption, Forecasts of 40C+ temperatures in northern Italy were not quite realised, but people and animals alike still needed to cool off

Image source, AFP

Image caption, A child cools off under a fountain in Montpellier, southern France

Image source, Google

Image caption, The Spanish capital Madrid avoided the hotter temperatures further north

Image source, AFP

Image caption, An animal keeper ensures South American tapir "Bambou" is protected from the rays in Germany

Image source, AFP

Image caption, A jaguar took a plunge in a pool in Bordeaux-Pessac zoo in southwestern France on Wednesday

Image source, EPA

Image caption, A man takes a picturesque sunset dip in Lake Geneva

Image source, AFP

Image caption, In Rome, umbrellas proved a popular way to hide from the soaring temperatures

Image source, AFP

Image caption, In the French Riviera city of Nice, temperatures hit 33C on Monday

Image source, AFP

Image caption, A polar bear cools down with frozen fruit at Hannover Zoo in Germany

Image source, DPA

Image caption, Like many in Europe, this man in the German city of Straubing went for a swim on Wednesday as temperatures continued to rise

Image source, EPA

Image caption, A young boy puts a fountain to good use in Hungary

Image source, AFP

Image caption, A couple swim past a model boat at the Schwarzachtal lakes in southern Germany

Image source, EPA

Image caption, The Prague public soak up the sun

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