The two children were found unresponsive in the family car parked in the garage of a detached property in Carpentras, France, as a manslaughter investigation remains ongoing

A significant development has emerged following the tragic deaths of two young children who were discovered in a car after allegedly being “forgotten” by their mother during Europe’s sweltering 40C heatwave.

The youngsters, aged two and four, were found unresponsive in the family vehicle, which had been left parked in the garage of a detached home in the Bois de l’Ubac area of Carpentras, France.

Despite desperate attempts by emergency services to revive them, both children passed away, prompting authorities to launch a manslaughter investigation. A subsequent post-mortem examination has since concluded that the pair died of dehydration, according to public prosecutor Hélène Mourges, who spoke to France 3 Provence-Alpes.

A statement released by the Carpentras prosecutor’s office confirmed that preliminary findings suggest “the hypothesis of a death resulting from exposure to excessive heat” appears “plausible subject to the results of further analyses currently underway”.

Early enquiries have focused on the possibility that the children climbed into the vehicle without their 33-year-old mother’s knowledge, before becoming trapped inside, reports the Mirror.

A police source told Le Parisien that the mother claimed to have “forgotten her children” while out shopping. However, according to a source close to the investigation speaking to AFP, she has since provided several conflicting accounts of what took place.

Amandine, a neighbour, expressed her profound shock at the tragedy.

“I’m very shocked. When I learned that it was two children who had been forgotten in the car, I got goose pimples. In this neighbourhood, everyone knows each other, and the children were always playing; they had such a zest for life,” she told France 3 Provence-Alpes.

Officers were called at 1.10pm on Monday to the incident at the children’s grandmother’s property. Ms Mourges had previously indicated the heatwave was the primary explanation being investigated for their deaths.

She said the two youngsters “allegedly locked themselves” inside the vehicle, with investigators believing they climbed into the car without their mother’s knowledge.

Millions across France have endured sleepless nights drenched in perspiration this week amid relentless scorching temperatures. The sweltering conditions are set to persist round the clock as the national weather service, Meteo France, has issued red heatwave warnings for dozens of departments.

In a nation lacking widespread air-conditioning, schools, trains and sporting fixtures continue to face disruption, while approximately 20 drowning fatalities have been recorded since the weekend.

“Sunshine continues to dominate across France, maintaining oppressive and exhausting heat throughout the country,” Meteo France stated. The extreme weather is anticipated to continue at least until week’s end, with daytime peaks exceeding 40C across numerous towns.

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Emma and Matt Willis’ relationship has not been without its challenges, with the Busted bassist revealing they had couples counselling, where they kept having the “same conversation”

Emma Willis’ husband, Matt, has shed light on a “small” issue in their marriage that was holding that caused a “big problem” in their marriage. The Strictly Come Dancing host has been married to the Busted bassist since 2008. They share three children, Isabelle, Ace, and Trixie, but their relationship has not been without its challenges.

Matt, who spent time in rehab and appeared in the documentary Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with cocaine and alcohol, but has now been sober since 2016.

He and Emma also went to couples counselling, but he said they kept having the “same conversation”. Speaking to Pop Idol winner Will Young, Matt admitted they were “never getting anywhere”.

He explained on his addiction-themed On the Mend podcast: “We had this same thing that was kind of coming up in our relationship. I won’t go into too many details, but same thing, same conversation over and over again, never getting anywhere.”

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Matt added: “Once we actually got to the root of what that was, we have never had that problem ever again. And it was so small when I think about it, you know, but it was actually massive.

“You know, and now, looking back at it, I was like, ‘That was everything that was holding us away from truly loving’.”

Last month, Emma was announced as the new host of Strictly, alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. They replace Strictly veterans Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who quit the BBC show in 2025.

Emma said in a statement: “I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”

Meanwhile, Matt has previously said Emma gives him constructive feedback, and he has asked her what he needs to work on as part of his personal development. Emma noted that he had a tendency not to follow through with his plans.

Speaking on the podcast previously, he said: “I asked Emma about it, and she thought about it for quite a while, and then she basically gave me the same one which I’ve said before, which is I don’t follow through with things. It was worded slightly different, but that was the message.”

He added: “She basically said, ‘You have so many ideas, which is hard to keep up with at times, and I don’t want to disregard your passion and ideas for stuff, but there’s so many, and so few of them are going to take flight’.

“And she was like, ‘I don’t want to stop you from being this creative thing that comes up with all this stuff, but you don’t follow through on most of them, and some of them which you come to that are important, you don’t follow through with’.”

Matt admitted her criticism was “hard to hear”, but said it was something he needed to work on.

The teenager also ignored red traffic lights and drove the wrong way around a roundabout

A teenager ignored red traffic lights and drove at more than 100mph in a bid to escape police. Zachary Hassan, 18, was spotted speeding in a Ford Kuga, in High Street, Fletton, Peterborough, at about 2am on May 23.

Officers used their blue lights, but Hassan failed to stop and attempted to flee from police. At one point Hassan drove at about 125mph as he tried to get away, as well as reaching 65mph in a 30mph zone.

Hassan also drove the wrong way around a roundabout, ignored red traffic lights, and contravened keep-left bollards. When the pursuit ended in Huntsman’s Gate, Bretton, Hassan ran but was arrested a short while later hiding in a bush.

Hassan, of Lythemere, Orton Malborne, Peterborough, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, possession of cannabis, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance.

The 18-year-old was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for year, and disqualified from driving for a year on Monday, June 15, at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

Stanway, 27, a double European champion with the Lionesses, was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list in December 2025.

She was awarded the honour alongside England teammates Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh and Ella Toone whilst their captain, Leah Williamson, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Stanway could be seen smiling, laughing and shaking hands with King Charles III at the Windsor Castle investiture ceremony.

The Barrovian was among 71 people officially given their honours by the King at Windsor Castle today.

Taking to social media, an England Football Team spokesperson said: “Congratulations Lionesses midfielder Georgia Stanway, who was awarded her MBE today at Windsor Castle.”

Georgia Stanway with His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA)

Stanway wrote on Instagram: “No words. MBE!! An unbelievably proud day with family.”

The official Royal Family social media account said: “Congratulations to all those who received honours at today’s investitures at Windsor Castle.”

Stanway received the honour in recognition of her services to association football.

Honours such as those Stanway and the Lionesses received are announced twice a year, at the New Year and on the King’s official birthday.

They recognise those who have made significant contributions to Britain and public life.

Born in Barrow, Stanway, a midfielder, was part of the England team which won the UEFA European Women’s Championship in July 2025 when they beat Spain on penalties in the final in Basel, Switzerland.

The honour comes after the Lioness also received the Freedom of Barrow at the town hall in December 2025.

Other notable people to receive their honours at Windsor Castle today were Katherine Scriver-Brunt, who was awarded her OBE for services to women’s cricket and to the community in Yorkshire, as well as Anne Reid, who was awarded a CBE for services to drama.

The crash involved a car and lorry

A woman has suffered serious injuries after a crash on the A1. Emergency services were called to a crash on the A1 near Sawtry just before 5am on Wednesday (June 24).

The crash involved a lorry and car. The driver of the car suffered serious injuries.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 4.50am this morning (June 24) to the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) near Sawtry after reports of a collision between a car and a lorry.

“The car driver, a woman, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital suffering from serious injuries. The lorry driver was uninjured.”

National Highways closed two of the four lanes on the road while the crash was dealt with. The road reopened just before 6am.

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