Heatwave claims four children in hot cars in France as drowning toll hits 55

Marseille campus tragedy

A boy aged 18 months was found unconscious and in a state of hyperthermia inside a car on the parking lot of the Timone medical campus in Marseille on Tuesday 23 June, according to several French media outlets. The marins-pompiers (naval firefighters) transported him to the paediatric emergency department of La Timone hospital, where he later died. Sources cited by Le Figaro and BFMTV report that a parent forgot the child in the vehicle while heading to work on the university campus. The university confirmed the death on Friday 26 June. Éric Berton, president of Aix-Marseille Université, expressed "profound sadness" and announced a psychological support unit for students and staff.

“It is with profound sadness that we have learned the tragic news that occurred on the Timone campus. We extend our most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. We also express our support to all those who witnessed or were affected by this tragic event.”

Temperatures in Marseille reached 33°C that day, with the Bouches-du-Rhône department placed under an orange heatwave alert. Le Soir noted that the high temperatures likely caused a rapid rise inside the car.

Two other fatal car entrapments

Earlier the same week, two brothers were found unconscious in the family car inside a closed garage in the Bois de l'Ubac district of Carpentras on Monday 22 June. Resuscitation attempts by emergency services failed; the children had reportedly entered the vehicle without the knowledge of their 33-year-old mother. On Wednesday 24 June, a three-year-old boy died in Saint-Gratien, Val-d'Oise, after slipping away from his parents for about 45 minutes and trapping himself inside the family car parked in front of the house. The mother was resting with another child and the father was working in the garden. Pontoise prosecutor Guirec Le Bras confirmed an investigation for involuntary manslaughter.

Drownings surge across France

The government reported that 55 people have drowned since the start of the heatwave. Sports minister Marina Ferrari told Franceinfo TV, "As of last night the count stood at 55, but we fear the situation could worsen." Around 51 million French residents face temperatures up to 15 degrees above seasonal norms, driving many to seek relief in lakes and rivers. The minister did not provide a regional breakdown.

“As of last night the count stood at 55, but we fear the situation could worsen.”