Two children (ages 2 and 4) found dead in their mother’s sweltering car in France

© picture alliance / NurPhoto | Adnan Farzat

In Carpentras, a city in Provence in southern France, two children, ages 2 and 4, were found dead on Monday afternoon in their mother’s car. The car was parked in the family’s garage.

According to the local newspaper La Provence, it's not yet clear exactly how the children ended up in the family car, nor how long they had been inside the car. According to initial reports, the two toddlers are believed to have gotten into the car without their 33-year-old mother noticing.

Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate the children, but it was too late.

“The causes of death have yet to be determined, but the heat wave is considered the most likely cause,” Carpentras prosecutor Hélène Mourges told Agence France-Presse.

In France, a red alert for extreme heat is in effect in 49 departments. Starting on Tuesday, a red alert will be in effect in 54 departments, and an orange alert in 35 departments. Large parts of Europe are suffering from extremely high temperatures.

Illustration: © picture alliance / NurPhoto | Adnan Farzat