Two Children Found Dead in Car as Severe Heatwave Hits Europe

Paris — Two young children were found dead inside a parked car in southern France as a severe heatwave continues to affect large parts of Europe, authorities said.

The children, aged two and four, were discovered in a residential parking area in Carpentras. Investigators believe extreme heat was the likely cause of death, as temperatures across the region reached record levels.

France and several other European countries are currently facing intense heat conditions, leading to multiple heat-related incidents, including drownings, elderly fatalities, and widespread health warnings.

Authorities have taken emergency measures such as closing schools, cancelling outdoor events, and advising people to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours. More than 1,000 schools have reportedly been shut across France due to unsafe temperatures.

Meteorological services confirmed that June temperatures in France have reached record highs, with both daytime and nighttime heat levels remaining unusually elevated.

Experts say the ongoing heatwave is part of a broader global trend linked to climate change, with studies showing that extreme heat stress is becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense across many regions of the world.

Health researchers warn that extreme heat poses a serious risk, particularly for children, elderly people, and those with underlying health conditions.

Authorities across Europe continue to issue high-level heat alerts as the region struggles with one of its most severe early-summer heatwaves in recent years.