Two young children tragically lost their lives after being discovered in a vehicle during a heatwave that has pushed temperatures above 40C across Europe. The children, aged two and four, were found unconscious in the family car parked in a garage in the Bois de l’Ubac neighborhood of Carpentras, France. Despite efforts from emergency services to revive them, the children could not be saved.
Authorities were notified of the incident at 1:10 pm, with emergency services continuing their presence at the scene. The local prosecutor, Hélène Mourges, mentioned that the cause of death is still being investigated, with the heatwave being the primary suspected factor.
France is currently facing a period of exceptionally high temperatures, with the national weather service, Meteo France, forecasting prolonged heatwave conditions until Friday. Several towns in western and central France, including Saint-Nazaire, experienced their hottest night on record, with temperatures remaining above 23.2C. Paris also witnessed its warmest June night, with temperatures not dipping below 24.2C.
The heatwave has prompted “red alert” warnings in multiple regions of France, with temperatures expected to surpass 40C during the day and remain above 20C at night. Meanwhile, the UK has issued a rare “red” weather warning for parts of England and Wales, cautioning about temperatures exceeding 37C.
The Met Office has highlighted the risks associated with extreme heat, including potential failures of heat-sensitive equipment like power and mobile phone services. Dr. Will Lang, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office, emphasized the forecasted high temperatures, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, urging vigilance among vulnerable groups due to the uncomfortable night-time conditions and high humidity levels.