A fourth child has now been confirmed dead in France within a single week as a historic heatwave continues to batter the country.
France has been hit by exceptionally dangerous temperatures since mid-June, with the heatwave beginning on June 17 and intensifying through the week as large parts of the country were placed under the highest alert levels. Paris reached 40.9°C (105.6°F) on June 25, while some parts of the country saw red alerts as temperatures climbed above 40°C (104°F).
Central areas of France have also faced wildfire outbreaks, while thousands of households were temporarily left without electricity, according to EuroNews.
The soaring temperatures have not been limited to France. In Spain, Bilbao recorded 42.5°C (108°F) on June 24, while in England, parts of the country reached 37°C (98°F), setting a new record for the hottest day ever recorded in June, the BBC reported.
The extreme weather has had deadly consequences across Europe. ITV News said more than 200 people in Spain have died because of the heat, while in France, at least 55 people were reported to have drowned in recent days as many tried to cool off in unsafe swimming areas.
Children have also been among the victims. On Friday, June 26, officials confirmed that a fourth child had died in France over the course of just a few days.
An 18-month-old child was found unconscious in a car in Marseille on Tuesday suffering from hyperthermia, EuroNews reported. The baby was later pronounced dead in hospital. Investigators believe the parent may have forgotten the child while leaving for work.
Although the exact time of death has not been fully clarified, Timone University Hospital, part of Aix-Marseille University, confirmed the incident on Friday.
Éric Berton, president of Aix-Marseille University, said in a statement:
“It is with deep sadness that we learned of the tragic incident that occurred on the Timone campus.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones. We also express our support for all those who witnessed or have been affected by this tragic event.”
The latest death came after a three-year-old boy also died in a hot car in a suburb of Paris.
According to the Pontoise public prosecutor, the boy’s father believed his son was asleep for a nap when the child got into the family vehicle. He was then unable to get back out because the child lock was engaged.
Earlier in the week, the bodies of two other children, aged two and four, were discovered in a hot car parked in a residential parking area in Carpentras, southern France.
That case is also believed to have involved the children entering the vehicle on their own before becoming trapped inside.
Officials have urged people to avoid leaving children or pets in vehicles, even briefly, as car interiors can become lethal in minutes during extreme heat.
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