Two young boys were found dead inside a car during a heatwave in southern France, authorities reported. The children, aged four and two, were discovered unresponsive on Monday afternoon outside their grandmother’s home in Carpentras. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation after the boys suffered cardiac arrest amid soaring temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The children's mother, 33, was reportedly unpacking groceries nearby and initially claimed she had left the boys in the vehicle. However, subsequent reports indicated inconsistencies in her account. According to information reported by French media, she later suggested that the children may have re-entered the car without her awareness while she was unloading. Neighbors described hearing the mother screaming in distress upon realizing the situation, with one commenting she appeared to be in "an absolute state of shock." A manslaughter investigation has been launched as authorities seek to clarify the circumstances leading to the boys' deaths.
The tragedy unfolded amid an intense heatwave affecting western Europe, attributed to a strong high-pressure system known as the "African anticyclone." Meteorologists have described the phenomenon as a “heat dome” that traps hot air over the region, allowing temperatures to rise persistently over several days. France has been particularly affected, with the national weather agency recording its hottest night on Monday since records began in 1947, with an average temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius across 30 monitoring stations.
Additional heat-related fatalities have been reported elsewhere in the country. Three elderly individuals died in their residence in Gironde, southwestern France, due to the extreme heat. Authorities also noted about 40 drownings since June 18, many linked to attempts to cool off in France’s rivers and lakes, according to Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. He announced plans to convene a crisis meeting to address the ongoing extreme weather, which has disrupted public services and infrastructure.
The heatwave has also forced the temporary shutdown of a reactor at a nuclear plant near Toulouse after water temperatures in a nearby river used for cooling rose beyond safe limits. In the city of Bordeaux, temperatures reached 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while the nationwide high was reported at 43 degrees. Major sites in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, closed early due to the intense heat.
Neighboring countries have faced similar challenges. Germany recorded five fatal swimming accidents over the weekend, underscoring the widespread impact of the scorching weather across Europe. Forecasters predict that the heatwave will persist at least through the middle of the week, with the potential for further intensification in some areas.