Cause of death for children, 2 and 4, found in car during 40C heat confirmed

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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