Marseille infant dies in overheated car amid France heatwave

An 18‑month‑old child was found suffering from hyperthermia inside a parked car on the university campus of the La Timone hospital in Marseille on 23 June. Firefighters and civil protection rescued the baby and rushed him to the paediatric emergency department, but he later died in hospital. Local sources say the father, who works on the campus, likely left the child in the vehicle.

The death is the fourth child fatality linked to the extreme heat wave sweeping France this week – a three‑year‑old died in Saint‑Gratien (Val‑d’Oise) and two children aged two and four were found dead in a car in Carpentras. France’s health minister, Stéphanie Rist, warned that more heat‑related deaths are expected as temperatures reach 33 °C in Marseille and up to 41 °C in other regions, with an orange‑level alert in place.

An investigation has been opened by the public prosecutor’s office. Éric Berton, president of Aix‑Marseille University, expressed condolences and announced psychological support for staff and witnesses. The heat wave is also prompting cancellations of large public events across Europe.