15-month-old twins die from dehydration in Beuvrages as France endures deadly heatwave

Discovery of the bodies

Parents called emergency services at midday after finding the twins unresponsive in their bedroom. Paramedics declared the girls dead, noting rigor mortis had already set in. Police sources said the children showed clear signs of severe dehydration.

They were in a state of cadaveric rigidity.

Parents in custody

The parents were taken into police custody in Valenciennes for questioning. They have no criminal record and were not previously known to social services, according to neighbours. The family home was sealed off, with a notice posted on the door citing "negligence leading to death of children under 15." Only the parents were present when the twins died.

Four siblings hospitalised

The couple's four other children, aged 3, 4, 5 and 6, were also found dehydrated. One child was airlifted and said to be in critical condition, though other reports indicated none of the siblings' lives were in danger. All four were admitted for observation and treatment.

Heatwave's deadly toll across France

The tragedy unfolded as France reels from an extreme heatwave that placed over 70 departments on red alert at its peak. Health authorities reported more than 1,000 excess deaths between 24 and 28 June. The Nord department, where Beuvrages lies, was under a red alert until Saturday evening. In separate incidents linked to the heat, children died in hot cars: two siblings aged 2 and 4 in Carpentras on 22 June, a 3‑year‑old in Saint‑Gratien on 24 June, and an 18‑month‑old in Marseille on 26 June. Temperatures dropped from Sunday, and all weather warnings were lifted on Monday.