Two boys found dead in car in Xylophagou; father and stepmother arrested

Xylophagou, Cyprus. Two boys aged eight and ten were found dead in a car on Sunday in Xylophagou. Authorities believe they had been playing when they locked themselves in the vehicle and appear to have suffocated and sustained burns from exposure to the sun.

Police response

The British bases police said they were notified by a civilian who reported that two children appeared to be unconscious in a vehicle.

The boys were taken by ambulance to hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths.

Arrests

The father and stepmother, who were at work at the time the children died, were arrested by the British bases police on suspicion of negligence.

Background

According to Reporter, Xylophagou community leader Giorgos Ioulianos said the children had arrived on the island to visit their parents, who are working in Cyprus.

Earlier reports had suggested that the father and stepmother had left the children in the car to sleep while they were at work.