A manslaughter investigation has been launched after two young children died in a car during a severe heatwave in France, with temperatures exceeding 40°C. The children, aged two and four, were discovered unresponsive in the family vehicle parked at a property in Carpentras, in the Vaucluse department.
Incident Details
Emergency responders were alerted at 1:10 pm on Monday to the home in the Bois de l'Ubac district, which belonged to the children's grandmother. Despite resuscitation attempts, both children died at the scene. Initial reports indicated the children may have climbed into the car without their mother's knowledge, becoming trapped inside.
However, a police source told Le Parisien that the 33-year-old mother claimed to have "forgotten her children" while out shopping. According to an AFP source close to the investigation, she provided several conflicting accounts of events. The Carpentras prosecutor, Hélène Mourges, stated that the cause of death is still under investigation, but the heatwave is the leading theory.
Manslaughter Investigation
Prosecutor Mourges confirmed that the children "allegedly locked themselves" inside the vehicle, but a manslaughter investigation has been initiated. Forensic experts have established preliminary findings, and inquiries remain ongoing. "Given her condition, no interview has been possible at this time," Mourges said.
Heatwave Conditions
The deaths occurred as a record-breaking heatwave swept across France, with Meteo France issuing red heatwave warnings for 54 departments—roughly half the nation. Daytime temperatures have exceeded 40°C in many towns, and overnight temperatures remain exceptionally high. "Sunshine continues to dominate across France, maintaining oppressive and exhausting heat throughout the country," Meteo France reported. The agency warned of further record-breaking temperatures 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 fatalities, primarily among elderly individuals without air conditioning. Schools, rail services, and sporting events have been affected, and approximately 20 drowning deaths have been recorded since the weekend.
UK Heatwave Warning
In the UK, the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday, forecasting temperatures up to 40°C in parts of England and Wales. Dr. Will Lang, chief meteorologist, 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." The Met Office warned of potential failures in heat-sensitive infrastructure, including power supplies and mobile phone networks.
