Eight-year-old boy seriously burned after stress ball bursts, French prosecutors say

Sunday 09 August 2026 - 14:00

French prosecutors have opened an investigation after an eight-year-old boy suffered second-degree burns when a Squishy-style stress ball burst while he was using it, authorities said on Sunday.

The incident occurred on July 24, 2026, in the Saint-Omer area of northern France, according to the Saint-Omer prosecutor's office.

Child suffers burns after toy ruptures

The boy was using a soft, squeezable toy containing a malleable substance when it suddenly burst, causing burns to his face and chest, prosecutors said.

The authorities confirmed the case following an initial report by French regional newspaper La Voix du Nord.

The circumstances surrounding the rupture remain under investigation, including the condition of the toy and the factors that may have contributed to the incident.

Investigation opened into possible accidental injuries

The Saint-Omer prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for involuntary injuries, the French legal classification used when someone may have unintentionally caused harm to another person.

Investigators will seek to determine how the toy malfunctioned and whether any responsibility can be established.

The case could also raise broader questions about the safety of toys containing materials designed to be squeezed or manipulated, particularly when they are used by children.

Authorities have not indicated at this stage whether the product itself was defective or whether other circumstances contributed to the accident.