European stock markets slumped more than 2.0 percent in early trading Thursday on surging numbers of coronavirus infections outside of China.

A trading screen is seen following the opening of the markets by Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua at the London Stock Exchange in London on June 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP)

Around 0830 GMT, London was down 2.5 percent.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt and Paris tumbled 2.4 percent, Milan retreated 2.3 percent and Madrid was down 1.9 percent.

"The brutality continues for the equity markets," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Avatrade.

"Investors are highly concerned about the impact of coronavirus on global growth."