Temperature records toppled as a spring heat wave continued to scorch parts of Western Europe on Tuesday, triggering government warnings about risks to life. Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down.

London recorded a rare "tropical night", defined as one in which the temperature does not fall below 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit), and Britain's Met Office weather service said the temperature in southern England could reach 35 C (95 F) on Tuesday.