It is highly unlikely that the children became trapped in the vehicle due to a mechanical failure, says mechanical engineer and automotive expert Andreas Tzirkallis, speaking on the Alpha News program.

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As Mr. Tzirallis points out, there are ways to free oneself when trapped inside a vehicle, especially in the case of 20-year-old vehicles, such as the specific vehicle in which the two children were trapped.

“There are handles that allow someone to open the vehicle. Let’s assume that even if there had been a child safety lock to prevent the back doors from opening—which I don’t think was likely in this vehicle, given that the children weren’t young, as you said, and it wasn’t their usual car, from what I understand. So why would that system even be there? There was a way for them to get out through the front doors using the handles, so the idea that the vehicle could trap them inside is extremely unlikely.”

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When asked whether this particular vehicle had electronic features that could have caused the doors to lock automatically, Mr. Tzirallis clarifies that even in modern vehicles, there is a button that operates on a backup battery.

“Perhaps in light of this incident, it’s a good idea to show our children—and to make sure we ourselves know—whether there is a hidden mechanical button or the like, which, I repeat, is not the case with this car model. It’s just a reminder so that we’re aware—in case some newer models, for aesthetic reasons or whatever, have their door handles positioned in a more concealed manner, because there’s an electronic button to open them in case something goes wrong with the electrical system. However—and I repeat—logically, they can open the doors and get out of the vehicle, provided they are conscious.”

He points out that we need to realize that temperatures inside cars can rise to extremely high levels in the summer. Specifically, as he notes, if the outside temperature is around 30+ degrees Celsius and the vehicle is parked in the sun, temperatures inside can reach as high as 55–60 degrees Celsius.

Regarding how the windows open, Mr. Tzirallis explains that most vehicle windows do not open unless the keys are in the ignition, although the doors do open.