France records all-time highest temperature of 44.3C

Mainland France has registered its highest temperature since records began as Europe continues to face a sweltering heatwave.

The temperature in Carpentras, in the south-eastern Vaucluse département,hit 44.3C (112F) on Friday, breaking the previous record of 44.1C set in the southern region of Montpellier and Nîmes in August 2003.

Vaucluse was one of four départements – alongside Gard, Hérault and Bouches-du-Rhône – placed on emergency red alert on Friday, the first time the measure has covered such a large area.

The Meteo-France forecaster Etienne Kapikian said it was “very probable” that the record would be beaten again on Friday as it was still relatively early in the day. “[The temperature] will continue to climb and, in some places, we could pass 44C,” he said.