Toddler critically injured after rat attack in Le Havre council flat

A two-year-old boy in Le Havre, Normandy, remains in critical condition after a rat attack that left him covered in blood and part of his ear damaged in his council flat. The child, identified locally as Ismaël, was found by his parents on September 21 inside his home, according to local media reports.

Horrifying footage circulating on local outlets shows blood spatters across the boy’s bed and images of him with injuries to his ear, face and hand. Amel, Ismaël’s mother, said the child also had bruises, blisters on his hand and black eyes, and added, "I wouldn't wish my worst enemy to find his child in the same state I found mine in." He was taken to a hospital, where doctors are treating a serious infection in the flesh of his hand and are reportedly considering a skin graft or ear reconstruction.

Following the incident, the father installed a camera in the boy's room. Shortly thereafter, they spotted a rat the size of a cat crawling around the room, which was then caught and killed.

Ismaël remains in a critical condition in hospital, where he is suffering from a serious infection in the flesh of his hand. Doctors are reportedly weighing a skin graft or ear reconstruction as part of his treatment plan.

While the family has been temporarily housed in a hotel, residents of the estate have voiced anger over the rat problem, describing daytime sightings and intrusions into apartments. A local resident told French media that rats are seen on terraces and hallways and sometimes enter apartments as soon as doors are opened. A woman close to the family said several complaints have been filed over the past few months, but nothing has been done to address the issue. She said, "The landlord is aware that the building is dilapidated. They’ve been reporting problems for months, but nothing has been done."

The episode highlights broader concerns about housing conditions and pest management in parts of Le Havre, where residents say rat activity has long been an ongoing problem. Public safety and health officials have not publicly detailed any investigation into the incident, but the family’s ordeal has drawn local attention to the state of the building and the surrounding area as observers call for swift action to prevent further harm.