Two children found dead in car on British military base in Cyprus

Two children were found dead inside a car on the grounds of the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia in Cyprus, local newspaper Phileleftheros reported.

According to the newspaper, the bodies were discovered after 6:00 p.m. on June 28 inside a parked vehicle near an apartment building in the village of Xylofagou. Police from the British overseas territory have launched an investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that the children, aged 8 and 10, died from suffocation. They had also sustained severe sun exposure.

The newspaper reported that the children had travelled from Bulgaria to Cyprus to spend their school holidays with their father. That morning, the father left for work with a colleague. The children got into the car but became trapped inside. Paramedics who arrived at the scene attempted to resuscitate them, but the bodies had already begun showing signs of rigor mortis.

The children's father and stepmother have been arrested on suspicion of negligence.