French tourist dies after getting stranded in 47-degree heat in US's Death Valley

A 68-year-old French tourist has died in the extreme heat of Death Valley National Park, California, after his vehicle became trapped in mud. Pierre Michel Formosa and his travel companion were driving on a remote park road on Monday when their car became stuck near Badwater Basin, an area known for its salt flats and extreme temperatures. With no other vehicles in sight, the two men began walking across the salt flats toward a highway to seek help. Temperatures that day soared to approximately 47 degrees Celsius (117 Fahrenheit). After walking about two kilometers, Formosa was unable to continue. His companion proceeded to the highway, where a passing motorist assisted him and alerted authorities. Park rangers and police initiated a search and found Formosa deceased. "This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can become dangerous," said Mike Reynolds, superintendent of Death Valley National Park. "Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but the heat, distances, and isolation can be a hazard, regardless of one's experience." The park is renowned as the hottest place on Earth and the driest in North America. The highest recorded air temperature globally, 57 degrees Celsius (134 Fahrenheit), was registered there on July 10, 1913. During summer, temperatures frequently exceed 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) even in the shade.

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This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can become dangerous. Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but the heat, distances, and isolation can be a hazard, regardless of one's experience.