Forecasters across Europe have warned an "inferno" is on its way - with temperatures set to exceed 40C in a week-long heatwave.
Frantic officials have urged older people and children to stay indoors as Europe is gripped with soaring temperatures.
It is feared it could be as bad as a Europe-wide heatwave in 2003 which claimed 20,000 lives.
In Spain one forecaster said "hell is coming" - with high humidity making it feel like 47C.
By Thursday, forecasters believe it could reach 42C in some Spanish regions, posing an "extreme risk" of forest fires.
TV meteorologist Silvia Laplana tweeted: "El infierno (hell) is coming."
And the French government has called on citizens to take the heatwave seriously.
Health minister Agnes Buzyn said: "This affects all of us, nobody is a superman when it comes to dealing with the extreme heat we’re going to see on Thursday and Friday."
The north of the country, including Paris, is expected to be worst hit, and extra drinking fountains have been installed across the capital.
Meteorologists from AccuWeather say hot air moving from Africa is causing the potentially deadly heatwave.
Experts believe France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium could all see June temperature records set in the next few days.
The Met Office says it expects a top temperature of 30C in coming days in the UK.
Exams have been postponed for 800,000 schoolchildren in France because of the extreme temperatures.
Water breaks may have to be introduced at the Women's World Cup in France, and some reports even say games could be under threat due to the weather .
Spanish weather agency Aemet says temperatures will top 35C across the country, but it could reach 42C in the valleys of Ebro, Tajo, Guadiana and Guadalquivir.
And Berlin will sizzle at 38C on Thursday, forecasters in Germany predict, with the rest of the country set to experience temperatures in the mid-30s.
