Young child dies after being left in locked car in Valls

A child aged around two or three died on Tuesday in Valls, Tarragona, after being left inside a parked car.

The toddler had reportedly been in the car for several hours – around four or five – while the father was at work.

The main working theory is that it was an oversight by the parent, who realized the child was still in the car around lunchtime.

Firefighters were alerted at 3:06pm and dispatched a unit to the scene.

After gaining access to the car, emergency services attempted to resuscitate the child, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Psychological support is being provided to the father.

Five emergency response units were deployed.

The death occurred amid a severe heatwave affecting Catalonia and much of Europe.

Valls declares two days of mourning

The Mayor of Valls, Dolors Farré, has declared two official days of mourning.

The council has called for a minute's silence in memory of the child on Wednesday at 12 noon in Plaça del Blat.