Two young children have tragically passed away after being discovered in a vehicle during a heatwave that has caused temperatures to rise above 40C in Europe.
The children, aged two and four, were found unresponsive in their family car, which was parked in a garage in the Bois de l’Ubac neighborhood of Carpentras, France. Despite efforts to resuscitate them by emergency responders, both children did not survive.
Reports indicate that the children entered the car without their 33-year-old mother’s knowledge and became trapped inside. Authorities were notified of the incident at 1:10 pm, and emergency services are still present at the scene.
The prosecutor of Carpentras, Hélène Mourges, stated to local media that while the cause of death is still under investigation, the prevailing theory is that the extreme heatwave conditions may have played a significant role.
France is currently experiencing a period of exceptionally high temperatures, with the national weather service, Meteo France, forecasting a prolonged heatwave period with temperatures exceeding 40C in many areas.
Numerous towns in western and central France, including Saint-Nazaire, recorded their highest nighttime temperatures ever, with Meteo France reporting an overnight low of 23.2C. Paris also endured its hottest June night, with temperatures not dropping below 24.2C, setting a new record.
A significant portion of France, encompassing over half of its regions, is under a “red alert” for extreme heat, with temperatures expected to surpass 40C and nighttime temperatures remaining above 20C.
In the UK, a rare “red” weather warning has been issued for parts of England and Wales, with temperatures predicted to reach 37C in the shade and potentially rise to 40C. The Met Office has cautioned that aside from health risks, the extreme heat could lead to failures in heat-sensitive equipment, including power and telecommunication services.
Dr. Will Lang, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office, emphasized the likelihood of extreme temperatures, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, with maximum temperatures reaching the high 30s. He also highlighted the discomfort vulnerable groups may face due to high overnight temperatures and humid conditions.
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