Twins drown in paddling pool

TWO 18-month-old boys have died after drowning in the family's inflatable pool in Castres.

It is reported that the twins' mother was occupied in the kitchen when they approached the pool, which was filled with just 50cm of water.

One of the boys was dead when the pompiers arrived and the other was taken to hospital by helicopter, where he later died.

An investigation has been opened to establish what happened.

Health authority INVS says that in the past two months paramedics were called to 409 cases to assist people of all ages experiencing water related difficulties.

Over this period 172 people died from drowning - including five infants under the age of six.