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Last Updated: Friday, 21 July 2006, 05:42 GMT 06:42 UK
In pictures: Europe wilts in heat wave

A man walks past a restaurant which uses a facial mister to keep customers cool in Nice

Much of Europe is baking in soaring temperatures that have claimed several lives since Sunday.

Two boys jump into the sea in Brygge Harbour, Copenhagen

Denmark is experiencing a mass exodus to beaches and parks, as temperatures hit 33C in some places.

A boy plays in his pool in Worcester, Britain

In Britain, many also are heading to the water, often setting up pools in back gardens.

A woman sunbathes on the Paris Plage, along the River Seine.

Parisians are getting welcome relief from the punishing heat on the city's artificial beach along the River Seine.

Dead fish in the dried-out river bed of Schwarze Elster River, eastern Germany

The heat wave has also brought drought to a number of countries. In Poland, lawmakers held a special mass to pray for rain.

An ostrich enjoys a shower at Gelsenkirchen's zoo

Animals in Europe's zoos have been showered on a regular basis...

A polar bear braves the hot weather at a zoo in Gelsenkirchen, Germany

...but for many the respite was too short.






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