A manslaughter investigation has been launched after two children, aged two and four, were found dead in a family car in Carpentras, France, as a heatwave pushed temperatures beyond 40C.
Incident Details
The children were discovered unresponsive in the vehicle parked in the garage of a detached home in the Bois de l'Ubac area. Emergency services attempted resuscitation, but both children died at the scene.
Police were alerted at 1:10 pm on June 22. The car belonged to the children's grandmother.
Mother's Account
According to a police source cited by Le Parisien, the 33-year-old mother initially stated she had forgotten her children while shopping. However, a source familiar with the investigation told AFP that she provided multiple different accounts of what happened.
Early reports suggested the children had climbed into the vehicle without their mother's knowledge and became trapped. Carpentras prosecutor Hélène Mourges told local media: "The cause of death is still under investigation, but the heatwave is the leading theory." She added that the children "allegedly locked themselves" inside the car.
Investigation
A manslaughter investigation has been opened. Forensic scientists have conducted preliminary examinations, and the investigation continues. Mourges confirmed: "Given her condition, no interview has been possible at this time."
Heatwave Conditions
France is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with Meteo France issuing a red warning for 54 departments, covering about half the nation. Daytime temperatures have exceeded 40C in many towns, and oppressive heat persists through the night.
Meteo France reported: "Sunshine continues to dominate across France, maintaining oppressive and exhausting heat throughout the country." The weather service warned of further record-breaking temperatures that could surpass all previous records.
The heatwave has drawn comparisons to the August 2003 heatwave, which caused an estimated 15,000 deaths, many among elderly people without air conditioning. In the UK, the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures potentially reaching 40C.
Dr Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "We are forecasting extreme temperatures in the next few days, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, when it looks like we'll be seeing maximum temperatures into the high 30s. But also we are stressing very high overnight temperatures which will be very uncomfortable for vulnerable groups, and very humid conditions as well."
