The tragic incident during the unprecedented heatwave in France resulted in the deaths of two young boys who have now been identified.

Kassim Benouali, aged four, and his two-year-old brother Sadek experienced cardiac arrests when they were inadvertently left inside a vehicle where temperatures potentially soared to 70 degrees Celsius.

Their mother, Wafa El Boubkari, discovered the unconscious boys in the car after they returned home from a day out swimming and shopping in Bois de l’Ubac, Carpentras.

Initially, it was suggested by prosecutors that the children had locked themselves inside the vehicle. However, subsequent investigations revealed conflicting statements from Ms. Boubkari regarding the events leading to the tragedy.

In a revised statement, the mother explained that the children had entered the car without her knowledge, locked themselves in, and subsequently became trapped inside, unbeknownst to her. This led to the launch of a manslaughter investigation.

The heartbreaking incident, where temperatures inside the vehicle soared to potentially 70 degrees Celsius without air conditioning, has deeply affected the nation.

Living with her mother at the time of the tragedy following a separation from her husband, Ms. Boubkari, who is also a mother to two other children under 10, has been under immense scrutiny.

The boys’ grandmother, Fatiha, described the incident as a “huge tragedy,” recounting the family outing before the unfortunate turn of events.

Following the discovery of the boys in the car in a state of cardiac arrest, despite emergency services’ efforts, they could not be revived.

A preliminary postmortem examination revealed that the boys succumbed to dehydration due to extreme heat exposure. A funeral service for the young siblings was held at Carpentras Mosque.

Ms. Boubkari, who spent time in the hospital due to shock, has received support from colleagues and family during this traumatic period.

Expressing their sympathy, colleagues described Ms. Boubkari as a dedicated and hardworking individual facing multiple challenges in her personal life. The pain she is enduring is described as unimaginable and deeply sorrowful.