Some parts of Western Europe were starting to cool off as the extreme heat that has gripped the continent moved east.

A punishing heatwave loosened its gripped on western Europe Wednesday and rolled eastwards, with Germany expected to record some of its hottest temperatures of the year so far. In Belgium, lower temperatures were expected on the coast while the heatwave was set to continue in the east and south.

The first major heat wave of the summer has hit Europe, exposing millions of people to record-breaking temperatures, closing tourist attractions, and fueling wildfires due to dry conditions. France, Greece,