A severe heatwave sweeping across Europe has claimed hundreds of lives in recent days as temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries, with forecasters warning that the extreme weather is expected to shift toward Eastern Europe over the weekend.

The prolonged heat has been driven by a high-pressure system commonly referred to as a "heat dome," pushing temperatures to record or near-record levels across much of the continent.

The temperature reached 36.7 degrees Celsius in Merryfield, southwest England, surpassing the previous June record set a day earlier. The UK Met Office extended its highest-level red extreme heat warning as the hot weather persisted.

In Switzerland, Basel recorded 38 degrees Celsius, marking the city's highest June temperature since records began in 1947.

France experienced its hottest night on record between Wednesday and Thursday. Daytime temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several cities, including Paris, while authorities issued the highest-level red alert in 72 of the country's 96 administrative departments.

At least 48 people drowned while trying to cool off in rivers, lakes and other bodies of water, while three children died after being left inside overheated vehicles.

Spain has reported the highest death toll linked to the heatwave. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency said 212 people had died over the past four days as temperatures remained an average of 7.1 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms.

In Italy, at least five people, including agricultural workers, died from heat-related causes.

Meteorologists said the heatwave is expected to move eastward over the weekend. Temperatures are forecast to ease in the United Kingdom and France from Sunday, while several German cities could see highs of around 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Authorities in Poland, Hungary and Croatia have also stepped up heat-related precautions, with temperatures across Eastern Europe expected to remain 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages throughout next week. (ILKHA)