Probe ordered following infant death in French Polynesia

French Polynesia's government has ordered an inquiry into the death of a baby who died while being transported to hospital in the Marquesas islands.

That follows a public outcry on social media as questions are being asked about the rescue process for the child.

An open speedboat was used to ferry the young patient from Ua Pou to the main island Nuku Hiva from where the child was to be flown to Tahiti.

However, the three-month-old died in hospital from a lung infection shortly after arriving in Nuku Hiva.

Reports say hundreds of locals on Ua Poa joined a march in support of the victim's family.

There have been calls to deploy a helicopter to the area for medical emergencies.