An investigation into manslaughter is ongoing after two children were discovered dead in a car, reportedly “forgotten” during a heatwave pushing temperatures above 40C in Europe. The children, aged two and four, were found unresponsive in the family car parked in a garage in the Bois de l’Ubac neighborhood of Carpentras, France.
Despite efforts to resuscitate them by emergency services, both children tragically passed away. Initially, it was believed that the children had entered the car without their 33-year-old mother noticing and then became trapped.
A police source revealed that the mother admitted to “forgetting her children” while shopping. The investigation indicated conflicting statements from the mother regarding the events. Authorities were alerted to the incident at the grandmother’s property at 1:10 pm the previous day. The cause of death is still under investigation, with the heatwave being a primary consideration, according to Carpentras prosecutor Hélène Mourges.
The prosecutor mentioned that the children were thought to have accidentally locked themselves in the vehicle and entered without their mother’s knowledge. However, a manslaughter inquiry has been initiated, with preliminary results from forensic experts and ongoing investigations. The public prosecutor noted that due to the mother’s condition, no interviews were conducted at that time.
In France, a significant number of people woke up sweating profusely due to the extreme heat, with Meteo France issuing a red heatwave alert for 54 departments, affecting half of the country. The scorching conditions have impacted various aspects of daily life, including schools, transportation, and events, with reports of drowning incidents. Meteo France predicted that the oppressive heat would persist throughout the week, with temperatures exceeding 40C in many areas.
The heatwave intensity has drawn comparisons to the deadly August 2003 heatwave, where extreme temperatures led to approximately 15,000 fatalities. The Met Office in the UK issued a rare “red” weather warning for parts of England and Wales, cautioning of temperatures surpassing 37C in the shade, potentially reaching 40C.
The Met Office highlighted the risk of health issues and equipment failures due to extreme temperatures. Dr. Will Lang, the chief meteorologist, emphasized the forecasted high temperatures, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, stressing the discomfort for vulnerable groups and the humid conditions expected.
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