A manslaughter investigation is underway in France after two children, aged two and four, were found dead in a car during a heatwave that has pushed temperatures above 40°C. The children were discovered unresponsive in the family car, parked in the garage of a detached property in the Bois de l'Ubac neighbourhood of Carpentras, in the Vaucluse department.
Mother Allegedly Forgot Children While Shopping
According to a police source quoted by Le Parisien, the 33-year-old mother claimed she had "forgotten her children" while shopping. She initially gave several different accounts of events, according to a source close to the investigation speaking to AFP. Emergency services attempted resuscitation, but both children died at the scene.
Police were alerted at 1:10 p.m. local time on Tuesday to the incident at the property belonging to the children's grandmother. The prosecutor of Carpentras, Hélène Mourges, told local media: "The cause of death is still under investigation, but the heatwave is the leading theory." She added that the two children "allegedly locked themselves" inside the vehicle, and it was believed they got in without their mother knowing. However, a manslaughter investigation has been launched. Initial forensic findings have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. "Given her condition, no interview has been possible at this time," stated Mourges.
Record-Breaking Heatwave Across France
The tragedy occurred amid an extreme heatwave affecting much of France. National weather service Meteo France placed 54 departments under a red heat wave alert, covering about half of the country. Temperatures have soared above 40°C in many towns, with oppressive conditions expected to last at least until the end of the week.
"Sunshine continues to dominate across France, maintaining oppressive and exhausting heat throughout the country," Meteo France said. "Further record-breaking temperatures are expected, including some that could surpass all previous records, regardless of the time of year." The heatwave has been compared to the August 2003 event, which caused an estimated 15,000 deaths, many among older people without air conditioning.
Impact on Daily Life
In a country without widespread air-conditioning, schools, trains, and sporting events have been affected. At least 20 drowning deaths have been reported since the weekend. Millions of people across France experienced another night of scorching heat, with most of the population exposed to extreme and exceptional temperatures.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday, forecasting temperatures that could exceed 37°C in the shade and rise to 40°C in parts of England and Wales. 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."
