An 18-month-old child has died after being left in a hot car in Marseille, France, marking the fourth such death in the country during an intense heatwave. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 23, when firefighters discovered the child unconscious in the parking lot of the Aix-Marseille University medical campus.
The child was suffering from hyperthermia and was rushed to the emergency room at La Timone Hospital in critical condition, but medical staff were unable to save his life. According to French publication BFM, one of the child's parents, who reportedly works at the campus, apparently forgot him in the car.
University President Expresses Condolences
Éric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille University, expressed “deep sadness” over the tragedy. “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the tragic news that occurred on the Timone campus. We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. We also express our support to all those who witnessed or were affected by this tragic event,” Berton said.
Other Fatal Incidents This Week
This is the fourth child death in three incidents across France this week. In another incident, two children were found dead in a hot car after their mother reportedly “forgot” them. The children were discovered in the family vehicle, parked in the garage of a detached house in the Bois de l'Ubac area of Carpentras. Despite efforts by emergency services to resuscitate them, both children died. A manslaughter investigation has been launched. A police source told Le Parisien that the mother claimed to have forgotten her children while out shopping.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, June 24, a three-year-old boy was found dead by his parents in Saint-Gratien, Val-d'Oise. Emergency services were called at around 7 p.m. after the child was discovered in cardiac arrest in the family vehicle. The boy had told his parents he was going for a nap in his room, but both parents thought he was in his room. About 45 minutes later, he was found in the boiling car. His mother reportedly screamed upon finding him, prompting a passing bus driver to stop and perform CPR until emergency services arrived. Police are investigating how the boy got into the car.
Heatwave Warnings
France has been experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring across the country. Authorities have issued warnings about the dangers of leaving children or pets in parked cars, where temperatures can rise rapidly even on relatively mild days. The series of tragedies has prompted renewed calls for public awareness and preventive measures to avoid such incidents.
