Europe bracing for scorching heatwave

Western Europe is facing a heatwave next week with temperatures soaring as high as 40 degrees Celsium (104 degrees Fahrenheit). [AFP]

Forecasters say Europeans will feel sizzling heat next week with temperatures soaring as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in an "unprecedented" June heatwave hitting much of Western Europe.

From Great Britain to Belgium to Greece, a wave of hot air coming from the Maghreb in North Africa and Spain will push up temperatures starting this weekend and hitting a peak around mid-week.