A 68-year-old pétanque player has died after being struck in the head by a metal boule during a game in southern France, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at a public pétanque court in the town of Carpentras, Vaucluse. The victim, identified as Jean-Paul R.
, a retired postal worker, was participating in a casual match when a thrown boule reportedly ricocheted off a target ball and struck him in the temple. Emergency services were called immediately but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation has been opened for involuntary manslaughter.
Pétanque, a popular French variant of boules, involves throwing heavy metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden target ball. Fatalities are rare but not unprecedented; in 2013, a similar incident occurred in Marseille. Local officials have expressed shock and are reviewing safety guidelines for the sport.
