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Carpentras child deaths in hot car amid France heatwave
Two children, aged two and four, were found dead inside their family’s car parked in a garage in the Bois de l’Ubac neighbourhood of Carpentras, Vaucluse, on 22 June 2026. Emergency services reported cardiac arrest and were unable to revive the youngsters despite resuscitation attempts. Prosecutor Hélène Mourges said the exact cause of death is still under investigation but the extreme heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C across much of France, is the leading theory. The children’s 33‑year‑old mother was reportedly unaware that they had entered the vehicle.
The tragedy occurs as France endures a record‑breaking heatwave. Meteo‑France has placed 49 departments under red alert, the highest level, affecting roughly 35 million people. Schools have been closed or had schedules shortened, and 13 people have drowned while seeking relief in water bodies. Similar heat alerts and record temperatures have been issued across Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal and Belgium. Authorities have urged the public to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat, and use cooling shelters. Agricultural experts warn of a rapid “hair‑dryer effect” threatening summer crops, while municipalities are accelerating school renovations and deploying cooling measures to protect vulnerable residents.