Louvre Museum and Versailles Palace Evacuated Amid Bomb Threats Amid France’s Heightened Security Measures
The Louvre Museum in Paris and the Versailles Palace were evacuated on October 14th after receiving bomb threats, in a display of heightened vigilance around France due to recent security concerns and global tensions stemming from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. These evacuations came following a fatal school stabbing incident, suspected to be carried out by an Islamic extremist, that has raised concerns about potential fallout in the country.
The evacuations of two of the world’s most-visited tourist sites underline the increased focus on security in France. The French government has initiated the deployment of 7,000 troops across the country in response to the recent school attack, and these measures are part of the effort to enhance security.
France remains on edge due to a variety of factors, including the ongoing global tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. President Emmanuel Macron’s government is particularly concerned about the potential ramifications of the conflict within France and is taking proactive steps to bolster security.
The Louvre Museum, one of the most iconic cultural institutions globally and home to celebrated masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, was among the sites evacuated. The Louvre is an attraction that welcomes between 30,000 and 40,000 visitors daily and several million annually. When the evacuation was announced, alarms rang out through the museum and its underground shopping center beneath the iconic glass pyramid. Paris police subsequently conducted searches of the museum premises after receiving written bomb threats.
The Louvre’s communication service confirmed that no injuries occurred during the evacuation, and no explosives were found. As a result, the museum is set to reopen as usual on Sunday, maintaining its status as a cultural treasure for visitors from around the world.
The Palace of Versailles, another major tourist destination and a former royal residence, also received bomb threats. The sprawling palace and its magnificent gardens were evacuated to allow authorities to examine the area thoroughly, according to the national police. In addition to these incidents, a significant train station in Paris, Gare de Lyon, was also evacuated following the discovery of a possible explosive device in a bottle.
The French government’s decision to deploy 7,000 soldiers across the country is a response to the increased threat level following the school attack that occurred in the northern city of Arras. The government heightened the national threat alert, adopting the “attack emergency” posture, which provides authorities with the ability to temporarily deploy additional troops to protect public places and implement other security measures.
Counterterrorism authorities are actively investigating the school stabbing incident in Arras. Several individuals, including the suspected assailant, are in custody. The exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the alleged attacker is reportedly refusing to cooperate with investigators.
It has come to light that the suspect had been under surveillance by intelligence services in the recent past due to concerns about his Islamic radicalization. He was detained for questioning on Thursday based on his phone conversations in the preceding days. However, investigators found no indication that he was preparing for an attack. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin suggested that French intelligence has identified a connection between the suspect’s actions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 19th October 2023
