Scorching heat in southern Europe

A day ahead of the UEFA Supercup match betwen Real Madrid and Manchester United, children play in a fountain in the fan zone in Skopje. Temperatures are set to reach 38 degrees Celsius. Authorities have issued public health warnings, urging children and older people to avoid going outdoors at noon.

Tourists huddle in the scant shade provided by the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, their enthusiasm for sightseeing dampened by the relentless heat of the day.....

...and by night, where even the early morning hours in Mallorca's capital bring no relief, as this outdoor indicator shows.

The heatwave hit Nice in early August. Above, children romp in the mist of a water fountain.

If there's no pool, a fountain will have to do. In Hungary's capital, Budapest, even adults cool off in a fountain to escape the scorching summer heat.

Italy and the Balkans have been most affected by the heat. Parts of Romania were also under a heat alert due to the high temperatures.

This street thermometer in Montenegro showed a whopping 47 degrees Celcius as the heatwave, "Lucifer," swept across southern and Central Europe. Authorities have warned people to stay in the shade and make sure they drink plenty of water.

In Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, tourists defied the heat and sun last week and got in line. Parts of the country have gone up in flames, as peak daytime temperatures in many areas in Italy topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 Farenheit) for over a week.