Death Valley: French tourist dies in extreme heat

A 68-year-old French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, has died in Death Valley National Park after becoming stranded in extreme heat. The incident occurred when Formosa and a companion became stuck in mud on a remote road near the Queen of Sheba Mine Road.

With temperatures reaching approximately 46 to 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) and no cellular service available, the two men attempted to walk across the salt flats toward Badwater Road to find assistance. Formosa was unable to continue after walking roughly two kilometers. His companion successfully reached the road and was assisted by a passing motorist.

A search and rescue operation involving National Park Service rangers and a California Highway Patrol helicopter located Formosa, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Park Director Mike Reynolds described the event as a “heartbreaking reminder” of how quickly conditions in the desert can become life-threatening due to extreme heat, isolation, and vast distances.