Five SA children die 'locked in freezer' Published duration 20 January 2016

South African police have opened an inquiry into the death of five children who are thought to have suffocated after trapping themselves in a freezer.

The five cousins, aged between three and seven, were discovered by their grandmother in Kakamas town, Northern Cape province, on Tuesday, police say.

Police do not suspect foul play.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, two children died from suffocation after getting locked in a car that was awaiting repairs outside Johannesburg.

Police have urged parents and guardians not to allow children to play unaccompanied in places where their safety could be at risk.

In a statement about the deaths in Kakamas, they said they believed the freezer, which was turned off, locked while the children were playing inside it.