London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dropped 0.7 percent to 6,689.18 points compared with the close on Wednesday.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 1.1 percent to 10,467.11 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed 1.0 percent to 4,641.80.

Most Asian markets extended losses with technology firms tumbling after Apple slashed its revenue forecasts, blaming the move on slowing sales in China.