Europe is in the grip of a record-breaking heatwave, with France experiencing its first major heat-related power outage.

The new wave of extreme temperatures has disrupted school schedules and transportation across several European nations.

This heatwave marks the second occurrence of a heat dome weather phenomenon in the region within just two months.

As the heatwave hit France, widespread power outages were reported, with numerous countries issuing their highest-level heat warnings for large areas.

Authorities in the Finistère department announced that a heat-induced electrical fault left approximately 68,000 households in western France without power.

The outage began on Tuesday evening, originating from transformer equipment in the town of Ergué-Gabéric. Power restoration for all affected areas was not expected to be completed until Wednesday evening at the earliest.

The power operator stated in a declaration, "We will prioritize restoring electricity to medical institutions and critical public facilities. For nursing homes still without grid power, we will deploy generators to ensure supply."

Data from Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (EDF) indicated that, due to cooling water intake restrictions caused by the heat, the total output of France's nuclear power plants was reduced by 4.1 gigawatts on Wednesday.

Simultaneously, the latest extreme heat has forced changes to educational and transport plans in multiple European countries.

France's national weather service reported that Tuesday saw the highest nationwide average temperature ever recorded in the country's history.

In the southwestern region of Pissos, temperatures soared to 44.3 degrees Celsius. Several cities, including Bordeaux, experienced unprecedented heat for the time of year, with the port city reaching 42.1 degrees Celsius.

The national thermal index, calculated from 30 weather stations, also reached a record high of 29.8 degrees Celsius.

Over recent days, at least 40 people in France have drowned while swimming in unsupervised outdoor waters to escape the intense heat.

In other regions, over 1,000 schools in England and Wales were closed as a rare red heat warning came into effect early Wednesday. Spain, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, among others, have also issued their highest heat alerts.

The UK's red warning was issued for extreme humid heat, which could have widespread adverse health effects and require significant adjustments to daily life and work routines.

This European heatwave is the second heat dome event in two months. Scientists warn that climate change is making such extreme weather events more frequent and intense.

Data from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service shows that Europe is warming faster than any other continent, with its rate of temperature increase since the 1980s being double the global average.