PA ImagesMedia reports suggest a French soldier has opened fire at a suspected attacker while on guard at the Louvre in Paris, according to the BBC.
The Daily Mail is reporting that The Louvre art gallery and nearby street have also been evacuated.
French soldier on guard at the Louvre in Paris opens fire at suspected attacker, media reports say https://t.co/E3i4OpLqkd
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 3, 2017
A soldier opened fire after a man armed with a knife tried to enter an underground shopping area near the iconic landmark with two backpacks, although earlier reports suggested a suitcase.
No explosives have been found.
The attacker was wielding a machete and has the Prime Minister of France has described the attack as “terrorist in nature”, reports Huffington Post.
PA ImagesThe man shouted “Allahu akbar”, Paris’s police chief has said. The attacker was shot in the abdomen and seriously injured while a soldier was injured in the head.
Louvre museum locked down in Paris after soldier shoots knifeman who tried to enter with a suitcase https://t.co/RldJgraKwv pic.twitter.com/Edy4BXHlMG
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 3, 2017
It has been branded a ‘serious security incident’ by the Ministère Intérieur on Twitter:
Evénement grave de #sécurité publique en cours à #Paris quartier du #Louvre, priorité à l'intervention des forces de sécurité et de secours pic.twitter.com/PxTLacJk7a
— Ministère Intérieur (@Place_Beauvau) February 3, 2017
Translation:
Serious public security event in Paris Louvre district. Priority for the intervention of the security and rescue forces.
More to follow as it emerges.
