Grenoble nursery air conditioners stolen amid heatwave alert

Two air‑conditioning units were taken from a municipal nursery in Grenoble during the night of Monday‑Tuesday. Police in Grenoble opened an investigation after staff discovered a forced entry.

The theft occurred as the Isère department was placed under an orange‑level heatwave warning, prompting authorities to urge extra caution for vulnerable groups, especially young children in public care facilities. The incident highlights the heightened demand for cooling equipment during France's recent heatwave, which saw record sales of fans and air conditioners – over 1.9 million units sold in the second half of June, leading to crowded stores and police interventions in several locations.