An investigation for manslaughter is currently ongoing after two children were discovered dead in a car, reportedly left in extreme heat as temperatures surged above 40C during a heatwave in Europe.
The victims, aged two and four, were found unresponsive inside the family car parked in the garage of a residence in the Bois de l’Ubac neighborhood of Carpentras, France.
Despite efforts to revive them by emergency personnel, both children tragically succumbed. Initially, reports suggested that the children had unknowingly entered the car without their 33-year-old mother’s awareness and became trapped.
According to a police source cited by Le Parisien, the mother confessed to “forgetting her children” while shopping, providing varying accounts of the incident. Authorities were notified of the situation at 1:10 pm at the grandmother’s home where the incident occurred. The cause of death is still being investigated, with the heatwave being the primary suspected factor, as stated by Carpentras prosecutor, Hélène Mourges.
The prosecutor mentioned that the children supposedly locked themselves in the vehicle and likely got inside without their mother’s knowledge. Nevertheless, a manslaughter inquiry has been initiated, with preliminary findings conducted by forensic experts while the investigation continues.
Due to her state, the mother has not been interviewed yet, noted the public prosecutor. Across France, many people woke up perspiring heavily on Tuesday due to the persisting scorching heat, with a significant portion of the population experiencing extraordinary temperatures.
Meteo France has issued a red heatwave alert for 54 departments, nearly half of the country, with exceptionally high temperatures expected to persist continuously. The intense heatwave has impacted various sectors in the country, including schools, transport, and outdoor activities, with reports of drowning incidents since the weekend.
Meteo France forecasts that the oppressive heat will endure throughout the week, with daytime temperatures surpassing 40C in numerous areas. The ongoing heatwave, reminiscent of the deadly 2003 heatwave, poses risks similar to previous extreme weather events, with the potential for record-breaking temperatures.
In the UK, the Met Office has issued a rare “red” weather warning for elevated temperatures exceeding 37C in England and Wales, potentially reaching 40C in some regions. Besides health risks, the extreme heat could lead to failures in temperature-sensitive equipment like power and communication services.
Dr. Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, emphasized the forecasted extreme temperatures in the forthcoming days, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, heightening concerns for vulnerable groups due to high overnight temperatures and humid conditions.