Barcelona recorded its hottest month of June since records started over a century ago, Spain's national weather service said on Tuesday as Europe remained in the grip of the first major heat wave this summer.

Europe's continuing heat wave on Wednesday helped fuel a deadly wildfire in Spain while the European Union presented plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under scorching temperatures.

Spanish authorities are investigating the death of a street sweeper who collapsed during Europe’s intense heat wave. Italy has banned outdoor work during the hottest hours, schools in France have closed,