An investigation into manslaughter has been initiated following the tragic deaths of two children who were discovered unresponsive in a car in Carpentras, France, during a scorching heatwave pushing temperatures above 40C in Europe. The victims, aged two and four, were found in the family car parked in the garage of a residence in the Bois de l’Ubac neighborhood.
Despite efforts by emergency services to resuscitate them, both children succumbed to the extreme heat. Initially, reports suggested that the children had entered the car unbeknownst to their 33-year-old mother and then became trapped inside.
According to a police source cited by Le Parisien, the mother admitted to “forgetting her children” while shopping and provided differing accounts of the events. Authorities were alerted to the incident at 1:10 pm at the grandmother’s property, and the cause of death is still being investigated, with the heatwave being a primary consideration, as stated by the Carpentras prosecutor, Hélène Mourges.
The prosecutor mentioned that the children allegedly locked themselves in the vehicle, having possibly entered without their mother’s knowledge. Nevertheless, a manslaughter inquiry has been launched, and forensic experts are actively involved in the ongoing investigation.
The intense heatwave in France has caused widespread discomfort, with Meteo France issuing a red heatwave alert for 54 departments, affecting a significant portion of the country. The weather service foresees exceptionally high temperatures persisting throughout the week, with many areas experiencing daytime highs exceeding 40C.
The current heatwave is reminiscent of the devastating 2003 heatwave, raising concerns about the potential risks posed by the extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, the UK’s Met Office has issued red weather warnings for parts of England and Wales, cautioning about temperatures surpassing 40C.
In addition to health risks, the extreme temperatures may lead to the failure of heat-sensitive equipment, including power and telecommunication services. Dr. Will Lang, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office, emphasized the forecasted high temperatures and the discomfort they may bring, particularly for vulnerable groups, along with the humid conditions expected in the coming days.
