In pictures: From Laytown to Milan, here’s how Europeans are trying to stay cool in the heatwave

People are trying to lower the temperature as continent sizzles amid record-breaking highs

Members of the McCabe family enjoy an ice cream after a swim at Laytown, Co Meath. Photograph: Alan Betson
Members of the McCabe family enjoy an ice cream after a swim at Laytown, Co Meath. Photograph: Alan Betson
A woman uses a fan to shield her face from the sun in Valencia, Spain. Photograph: Michael Robinson Chavez/Bloomberg
A woman uses a fan to shield her face from the sun in Valencia, Spain. Photograph: Michael Robinson Chavez/Bloomberg
Beachgoers in Scheveningen, in the Netherlands. Photograph: Koen Van Weel/ANP/AFP/Getty
Beachgoers in Scheveningen, in the Netherlands. Photograph: Koen Van Weel/ANP/AFP/Getty
A boy cools off at a fountain in the Place d'Armes in Calais, northern France. Photograph: Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty
A boy cools off at a fountain in the Place d'Armes in Calais, northern France. Photograph: Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty
A daschshund licks an ice cream in Milan. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/AFP/Getty
A daschshund licks an ice cream in Milan. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/AFP/Getty
Teenagers swimming in Clontarf, Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
Teenagers swimming in Clontarf, Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
The beach at Belgium's North Sea resort of Blankenberg. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA
The beach at Belgium's North Sea resort of Blankenberg. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA
An umbrella serves as a sunshade on Westminster Bridge in London. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
An umbrella serves as a sunshade on Westminster Bridge in London. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Taking a dip in the river Seine in Paris. Photograph: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty
Taking a dip in the river Seine in Paris. Photograph: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty
Jumping into the sea at Coliemore Harbour in south Dublin, with Dalkey Island in the background. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Jumping into the sea at Coliemore Harbour in south Dublin, with Dalkey Island in the background. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Extreme heat breaks temperature records across EuropeOpens in new window ]

Temperatures of up to 27 degrees forecast as Met Éireann issues thunderstorm warningOpens in new window ]