Two Children Found Dead Inside Car Amid Heatwave in France

Two young siblings, aged 2 and 4, were discovered deceased inside their family's car on Monday afternoon in Carpentras, southeastern France. The tragic discovery occurred amidst an exceptional heatwave gripping the country.

Prosecutors are investigating the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths, with the extreme heat being considered the leading hypothesis. The children's mother was attended to by emergency services and had not yet provided a statement, according to the public prosecutor's office. Firefighters found the children in cardiorespiratory arrest after responding to a call around 1:20 PM.

The incident unfolds as a significant portion of France remains under a red alert for the heatwave, described as exceptionally intense and reminiscent of the deadly 2003 heatwave that claimed approximately 15,000 lives. Although Carpentras was under an orange alert, Météo France reported temperatures soaring to 39°C in the locality. Earlier on Sunday, three elderly individuals reportedly died in their homes in southwestern France due to the high temperatures, according to authorities. Additionally, at least 13 people drowned across France over the weekend, as reported by Civil Protection.