France hits record high temperature while deaths tally up during Europe heat wave

France registered its highest temperature since records began as the death toll rose from a heat wave suffocating much of Europe.The mercury hit 45.9 degrees Celsius in Gallargues-le-Monteux, in the southern Provence region, weather forecaster Meteo France said, nearly two degrees above the previous high of 44.1 C recorded in August 2003.READ MORE: Here’s how Europe is trying to endure a blistering heat waveWATCH: Not just elderly at risk from heat wave, French health minister warns Twelve towns in southern France saw new all-time highs on Friday and three experienced temperatures above 45 degrees, it said.The World Meteorological Organization said 2019 was on track to be among the world’s hottest years, and that 2015-2019 would then be the hottest five-year period on record.It said the heat wave was “absolutely consistent” with extremes linked to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.WATCH: Heat wave hits Brussels with temperature reaching 30.5 degrees Four administrative departments in France were placed on red alert, signalling temperatures of “dangerous intensity” that are more typical of Saudi Arabia.The unusually high temperatures are forecast to last until early next week.In Spain, where temperature peaked above 43 degrees for the second day running, wildfires raged across 60 sq km of land in the northeastern Tarragona province. Officials said firefighters battling the blazes on 20 fronts managed to avoid them from spreading.READ MORE: Germany imposes speed limits on autobahn in midst of European heat waveIn the central region, a fire broke out on the outskirts of Toledo, forcing the evacuation of two public buildings, a regional official told Reuters.To the north in Valladolid, a man of 93 collapsed and died due to the heat, police said. And in a small town outside Cordoba, a 17-year-old died of heat-related effects after jumping into a swimming pool to cool off.