Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTwo children died in a car during the record heatwave (Getty Images/iStockphoto)French police have launched an involuntary manslaughter investigation after two children, aged two and four, died in a car during Europe's record heatwave. The children were found unconscious by their mother in the family's vehicle in Carpentras, southeast France, on Monday. Initial findings suggest the siblings had locked themselves inside the car, and first responders were unable to resuscitate them. The incident occurred amidst government warnings advising parents not to leave children unattended in vehicles due to the extreme temperatures. Separately, France's Prime Minister reported that 40 people have drowned across the country in recent days while attempting to cool down from the heat. In fullFrench police launch manslaughter probe after children die in car in 43C heatwaveThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Europeans are bracing for a week of soaring temperatures, sweltering in a heatwave with daytime highs above 40 degrees.

Two children were found dead in a car in southeast France on Monday as the country faced the hottest day of a brutal heatwave that is forecast to last until the end of the week.…