Two children die in scorching car as France battles record heatwave

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1 month · 8 summary articles
Two children, aged two and four, were found dead in a parked car in Carpentras, southern France, on Monday as the country grappled with an unprecedented heatwave that has placed more than half of its territory under the highest alert level. The boys were discovered by their 33-year-old mother after she returned from shopping, according to local reports. Investigators have indicated that extreme temperatures are the primary suspected cause of death, with prosecutors in Vaucluse opening an inquiry into the circumstances.
The tragedy unfolded in a residential area of Carpentras, a town in Provence known for its historic centre and agricultural markets. Temperatures in the region have soared past 40°C, an extreme threshold for June, as a Saharan heat dome engulfs western Europe. Météo-France has warned that Monday could mark the hottest day ever recorded in the country at any time of year, with some areas expected to exceed 45°C. The national red alert, the highest warning level, covers over half of France’s departments, including Vaucluse where Carpentras is located.
Emergency services were alerted shortly after the children were found, but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the vehicle’s windows were closed or whether the children may have become trapped after entering the car unsupervised. The mother, who was reportedly unaware the children had entered the vehicle, is receiving psychological support, local police told French media .
The incident has intensified public debate across Europe about the dangers of vehicular heatstroke, particularly during extreme weather events. In France, where the 2003 heatwave killed an estimated 15,000 people, authorities have renewed calls for vigilance, including avoiding alcohol consumption outdoors and checking on vulnerable neighbours. The current heat dome, described by meteorologists as a “heat furnace,” is also affecting Spain, Italy, and Germany, where temperatures are expected to remain dangerously high through midweek.
While the exact sequence of events remains under investigation, the case underscores the lethal consequences of unseasonal heat in a continent increasingly vulnerable to climate change. France’s health ministry has activated emergency heatwave plans, including the opening of cooling centres in cities such as Paris and Lyon. As Europe braces for what could be its most severe June heatwave on record, the tragedy in Carpentras serves as a stark reminder of the silent risks posed by extreme temperatures, even in familiar surroundings.
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