French Tourist Found Dead in Infamous 'Death Valley'

▲ Death Valley, California

It has been belatedly confirmed that a French tourist died in Death Valley, California, a U.S. national park notorious for its extreme summer heat.

According to broadcasters like CBS and The New York Times (NYT) on the 24th (local time), 68-year-old French tourist Pierre Michel Formosa visited Death Valley National Park on the 17th, where he became stranded and died.

Formosa was traveling in a vehicle with a companion when the car got stuck in mud, leaving them stranded in the middle of a barren landscape.

The two attempted to walk about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to seek help, but daytime temperatures soared to 116°F (46.7°C), and there was reportedly no shade along the road.

When Formosa reached a point where he could no longer walk, his companion moved on alone and was thankfully rescued after encountering a driver.

Death Valley National Park immediately launched a search operation, but later discovered his body at the scene.

The exact cause of death has not yet been released.

Six people have died in Death Valley since 2020, the majority of whom were seniors aged 60 and older.

Park officials warned, "This tragic accident shows how quickly conditions can become dangerous. Death Valley is a uniquely extreme environment where the temperatures, distances, and remote setting can be perilous regardless of experience."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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