The bodies of two young children were present in their mother’s automotive during 38°C weather in southern France.
The kids, aged two and 4, were found unresponsive of their family vehicle early on Monday afternoon, parked within the garage of their home in Carpentras, Provence.
It’s unclear how the young children made their way into the automotive or how long they remained inside.
Their mother, 33, was ‘unaware’ the pair were inside until she found them and called for help.
Le Parisien reports the mum claimed to have ‘forgotten her children’ while shopping.
She has yet to be questioned by police.
Enroll for all of the most recent stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
Police and firefighters were called to the scene around 1.10pm, based on La Provence, but efforts to avoid wasting the youngsters were unsuccessful.
Europe, very like the UK, is enduring a record-breaking heatwave, with highs of greater than 40°C in parts of France.
Emergency services and the military have been placed on a wildfire alert throughout the country.
Public alcohol consumption restrictions have been put in place by French authorities, and a few outdoor sporting events have been cancelled.
Elsewhere, temperatures were expected to hit 37°C in Rome and 39°C in Madrid on Monday.
UK issues rare red weather warning
The UK issued a rare red alert as a result of excessive heat this week. Last summer was the most popular on record for the UK, with a mean temperature of 16.1°C between the beginning of June and the top of August, based on the Met Office.
The previous record was set in summer 2018, followed by 2006, 2003, 2022 and 1976.
The Met Office said this week’s heatwave will see temperatures exceed 37°C and will even see them rise to 38°C to 40°C in some parts of England and Wales.
The warmth can be accompanied by high humidity and really warm and humid nights, meaning there can be little respite after the sun goes down.
The UK Health Security Agency issued the red health warning for six regions of England – the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and the East of England.
This alert indicates ‘a risk to life for even the healthy population’ in addition to impacts beyond health and social care, with potential effects on transport systems, food, water, energy supplies and businesses.
It’s the second red heat health warning to be issued, after the primary in July 2022 when temperatures soared above 40°C within the UK for the primary time.
Mel Evans, Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, said: ‘Today’s forecast is staggering. Heatwaves are expected to get longer, hotter and more dangerous to human life, to crops and to wildlife.
‘Abnormal persons are increasingly paying the worth for extreme heat they didn’t cause, while fossil fuel giants proceed to rake in billions.’
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Girl, 4, injured after vehicle rolls over her in automotive park
MORE: Wembley Stadium confirms rule change for Harry Styles gig during scorching heatwave
MORE: The ‘piece of heaven’ London lido with tickets still available for this week’s heatwave