A manslaughter investigation has been opened after two young children were found dead inside a family car during a scorching heatwave in southern France. The victims, aged two and four, were discovered unresponsive by their mother on the driveway of their home in Carpentras, a town in the Vaucluse department, at midday on Monday as temperatures approached 40°C.
Details of the Incident
The children were found in the family car parked in direct sunlight on the driveway of a cul-de-sac in the Bois de l'Ubac neighbourhood. Emergency services were called immediately, but the two boys were pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination determined that the cause of death was dehydration, according to public prosecutor Hélène Mourges.
Initial investigations are working on the theory that the children entered the car without their 33-year-old mother being aware and then became trapped. However, reports from local media, including ici.fr, indicate that the mother told police she had 'forgotten her children' while out shopping, and allegedly provided several different versions of events.
Community and Official Reactions
A neighbour described getting 'goosebumps' upon learning of the tragedy, recalling that the children had 'such a zest for life.' The mayor of Carpentras, Hervé de Lépinau, expressed being 'stunned by this tragedy' and issued a plea to parents and grandparents to be 'extra vigilant' during extreme heat. 'Cars, swimming pools and unshaded outdoor areas are all zones of deadly danger with these high temperatures,' he said.
Heatwave Context
The incident occurred as a severe heatwave gripped Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several locations and numerous health alerts issued. Across France, 72 out of 101 departments were placed under a red heat alert. On Tuesday, the country recorded its hottest day ever, with temperatures reaching 44.3°C in Pissos, Landes, in the southwest.
