File photo: Agencies

European stock markets fell at the start of trading on Wednesday, extending the previous session's losses.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dropped 0.4 percent to 6,055.39 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 index lost 0.3 percent to 12,845.45 points and the Paris CAC 40 retreated 0.3 percent to 4,924.70.