Seven people have died in France after an extreme early summer heatwave swept across large parts of Western Europe.

Just as in the UK, temperatures were recorded in France that made Monday, and then Tuesday, the country's hottest May Day ever. 

The weather service Météo France is now warning that the heatwave could last for the rest of the week, with temperatures reaching up to 39 degrees in some areas.

"What I can say today is that seven people have died directly or indirectly as a result of the heat," government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told TF1 television, according to The Guardian.

Five of the deaths were drowning accidents.

Source: Aftonbladet.se