Almost 400 more people died than usual during a single week in the Netherlands during the recent record-breaking heatwave.

In total, 2,964 people died during the week starting 22 July, Dutch national statistics agency CBS reported on Friday.

This is around 15 per cent more deaths than average for a summer week in the country.

About 300 of the additional fatalities were among people aged 80 years and older.

Temperature records tumbled across Europe during late July’s heatwave, with the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sweltering under their highest temperatures ever recorded.

Temperatures hit 42.6C in Germany and 40.6C in Belgium, the Met Office said.

UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Show all 44 1 /44 UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Bournemouth Hundreds of people at the beach in Bournemouth, as the UK could encounter the hottest July day on record PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Manchester Hamza and Haris splash in the water feature beside the National Football Museum PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Derbyshire People play in the water at Hathersage Outdoor Swimming Pool PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Whitley Bay Sunrise at St Mary's Lighthouse PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Margate Families fish for crabs from a sea wall Getty Images UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Surrey People leap from a bridge at Taggs Island, near Hampton Court PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar London Ireland's players in a drinks break during the second day of the test match against England at Lord's AP UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar London People sunbathe in Hyde Park PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Manchester People splash in the fountains in Piccadilly Gardens PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Margate Families make their way to the beach Getty Images UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Cambridge People use umbrellas to shield from the sun as they punt along on the River Cam PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Brighton People enjoy the hot weather on the beach PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar London England's Jack Leach cools down with a towel in a drinks break AP UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Margate MARGATE, - JULY 25: Beachgoers enjoy the sunshine on July 25, 2019 in Margate, United Kingdom. The Met Office issued a weather warning from 3pm this afternoon. They warn that Britain could face up to 13 hours of electrical storms after temperatures could reach a record-breaking 39C. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Northumberland Kadie Lane, 10, cools off in the fountain at Alnwick Gardens. The UK is bracing itself for what could be its hottest ever day after lightning storms triggered fires and rail disruption PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Hampshire Lightening striking as a thunder storm passes over Basingstoke lanttans/PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Northumberland Visitors sit in deckchairs in the sun at Alnwick Gardens PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar West Yorkshire Sisters, Nyam May (left) and Ciara May (right), jump into the water at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar An African white lion sunbathes at West Midlands Safari Park PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Liverpool Lightening strikes as a thunder storm passes over houses in Lee Park PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Northumberland Children sit in the sun by 'The Friendly Giant', a pond sculpture situated in Alnwick Gardens PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Northumberland Reuben Humphreys, 4 , cools off in the fountain at Alnwick Gardens PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar West Yorkshire Lightning strikes as a thunder storm passes over houses in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday July 24, 2019. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Danny Lawson PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire Holidaymakers shelter under umbrellas on the South Beach,Tenby Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Lincolnshire A thunder storm passes over Holbeach St Marks wiker_1971/PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire Swimmers have fun in the sea on a giant inflatable Flamingo, South Beach Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Folkestone Sunbathers relax PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar West Yorkshire Yasmin Amindari plays with ball at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido in West Yorkshire as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 23, 2019. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Danny Lawson PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Kent Broadstairs beach PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire South Beach,Tenby Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Dog owners warned about heatstroke American Bulldog Finlay, receiving urgent cooling treatment at PDSA's Pet Hospital, after was left fighting for his life after his body temperature soared to a life-threatening 42.2C (108F) during recent hot weather PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Folkestone A couple, seen through heat haze PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Ilkley Freddie Ward jumps into the water at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido in West Yorkshire as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire North Beach,Tenby Reuters UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire A swimmer and paddlers are seen in the sea off South Beach,Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain, July 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden REBECCA NADEN REUTERS UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Canterbury People enjoy punting through Westgate Gardens as temperatures rise across the UK this week PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire A sunbather lies on the South Beach,Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain, July 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden REBECCA NADEN REUTERS UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Ilkley People play in the water at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Canterbury Isla Stanton enjoys the sunshine in Westgate Gardens PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire Holidaymakers are seen in the sea on the South Beach,Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain, July 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden REBECCA NADEN REUTERS UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Oxford A lady takes a photograph in Oxford, as the UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 23, 2019. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Steve Parsons PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Pembrokeshire A "Keep Calm" towel is pictured on the South Beach,Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain, July 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden REBECCA NADEN REUTERS UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Warwickshire People enjoy a trip in a boat along the river in Stratford Upon Avon PA UK heatwave rolls in as temperatures soar Stratford Upon Avon People enjoy the sun along the river in Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, as temperatures are expected to rise across the UK this week. Jacob King PA

The Netherlands’ 75-year-old record was broken several times. The Gilze-Rijen airbase near Breda first reached 39.2C, then the southern city of Eindhoven hit 0.1C higher.

On 25 July, Gilze-Rijen recorded 40.7C, which stands as the current national heat record according to Dutch meteorological service KNMI.

Most of the deaths occurred in the east of the Netherlands, where temperatures were higher and the heatwave lasted longer than in other parts of the country. The Netherlands has a total population of around 17 million.

The death toll in the country during that week was comparable to the rate during two heatwaves in 2006, which were among the longest ever in the country, the researchers said.

The KNMI issued an official warning advising Amsterdam residents to stay inside during the heatwave for their safety.

Residents and tourists were caught bathing in fountains throughout the city as they tried to cool off. One group was even photographed with their feet in an inflatable paddling pool at a bar.

A large bridge at Rotterdam port had to be sprayed over fears the metal would expand in the extreme heat.

Twenty children fell sick at a summer camp in Leusden at the height of the July heatwave; some of them were taken to hospital, local media said.

The heatwave was the second to hit Europe in a month, and climate specialists warn such bursts of heat may become more common as the planet warms up due to greenhouse gas emissions.