France, July 3 -- The heatwave that has hit Europe over the last week has seen temperatures in France top 40degC, and the country is joining Spain and Italy in implementing new measures to protect those working outdoors from the effects of the heat, as deaths are reported across the continent.

Since 2000, the frequency of heatwaves has doubled in France, according to the country's meteorological agency Meteo France.

A record number of heat alerts have been put in place across France in the past few days, with 16 regions, including Paris, placed on red alert for Tuesday, when temperatures topped40degC. Almost 1,900 schools were closed that day, andecological transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher announced that 300 people had been gi...