Five people, aged between 18 to 70 years old, died from heart attacks and blood clots caused by the heat while attempting to return home or going to see a doctor, said the newspaper Korrieri.

Two other people, one aged 18 and the other 70, died from heart attacks caused by the heat while on the beach at Durres, 45 km (27 miles) northwest of Tirana, and Velipoja, 150 km north of Tirana.

The weather bureau said the high temperatures would continue across the country until the end of the week.