Within the euro zone, Italy's FTSE MIB skidded 3.1% and Germany's DAX slid 1.9%.

WSJ: Stocks Extend Declines

Elsewhere, Spain's IBEX-35 surged 2.7% to 6693.90, Italy's FTSE Mib added 3.4% to 13, 445.46 and Greece's ASE gained 3.3% at 600.07.

WSJ: Europe Stocks Rise

Italy's FTSE MIB index jumped 3.7% to 14942.05.

WSJ: Spanish Auction Lifts European Markets

In Italy, the FTSE Mib index was up 0.3%.

WSJ: Tokyo Shares Down Sharply

Spain's IBEX 35 stock index sank 3% to a three-year low, while Italy's FTSE MIB index plunged 5%.

WSJ: Stocks' Drop Is 2012 Worst