Overview
- Two members of the French Garde Républicaine collapsed nearly at the same time outside the Élysée Palace during the state reception for Slovak president Peter Pellegrini, which took place on Wednesday.
- President Emmanuel Macron and presidential aides moved quickly to help the fallen guards and ordered them brought inside as photographers and video recorded the scene.
- Multiple clips circulated online and briefly created confusion about the number of casualties, while an uncut Reuters video shows two separate collapses a few seconds apart.
- The presidential office and French media said the guards suffered fainting spells and were taken to hospital, though hospitals have not released detailed medical bulletins and an official cause has not been confirmed.
- The Garde Républicaine must stand motionless in full dress for long periods, a position that can cause vasovagal fainting by reducing blood flow, and the incident could prompt a review of ceremonial duty practices and timing.