Reims: Takata airbag explodes in Citroën C3, one dead and one injured

A fatal accident occurred on June 11 in Reims, involving the explosion of a Takata airbag on board a Citroën C3, the Reims prosecutor's office announced on Monday, June 16, confirming a report by Radio France on this second death in mainland France.

A mother in her forties lost her life, and a 14-year-old girl, also in the vehicle, was injured, according to the source. The victim is believed to have died as a result of the airbag being deployed after hitting a guardrail on the highway, the prosecutor's office confirmed.

The Takata airbag scandal has rocked the automotive industry since 2014, forcing many manufacturers to ground hundreds of thousands of vehicles worldwide in order to replace the safety equipment.

Another death linked to a defective airbag deployment was recorded in Guadeloupe at the end of March. Until this death was announced, the Ministry of Transport had recorded 29 accidents resulting in eleven deaths overseas and one in mainland France.

Due to a gas that degrades over time, humidity and heat, these airbags risk exploding, with the risk of serious or even fatal injuries to drivers and front passengers.