A bomb alert has been issued in Paris after police discovered a ‘suspicious object’ near an Olympics venue, prompting a swift lockdown of the area.
The incident occurred at the Porte de Paris train station in Saint-Denis, close to the Stade de France stadium, which has been hosting Olympic events since yesterday. Police have cordoned off the area and are awaiting the arrival of a specialist bomb squad, according to reports from Bild.
The train station, a key transit point for attendees of the Olympic Games, has also been shut down amid the threat.
Event Schedule Disrupted
The Stade de France was reportedly empty at the time the bomb alert was issued this afternoon, following the conclusion of the first Olympic session of the day at 1pm. The second session is scheduled to begin at 5:40pm, drawing hundreds of sports fans back to the stadium. It remains uncertain whether the affected train station will be reopened in time for the evening events.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has stated that authorities have not detected any ‘tangible’ terror threats during the first week of the Olympic Games. Despite this, around 200 people have been arrested by security forces for various crimes during the same period.
Mr. Darmanin provided the first official statistics on the security situation during a visit to a police station in Saint-Denis, revealing that 200 people have been arrested since July 26, with 180 taken into police custody. Some individuals were apprehended on the suspicion that they ‘could have’ committed attacks, including on the day of the opening ceremony. However, he assured that there is no known organized attack being planned.
Crime Reduction
Mr. Darmanin also noted a significant reduction in overall petty crime, attributing it to the increased police and gendarme presence. Specifically, there has been a 24% decrease in thefts associated with violence and a 10% reduction in car thefts in Paris and nearby suburban areas.
Security Deployment
The bomb threat comes amidst an ‘unprecedented’ security operation involving 45,000 police officers from 43 countries, 18,000 soldiers, and several aerial units. These units include Rafale fighter jets, AWACS surveillance flights, Reaper surveillance drones, and helicopters with expert snipers on board. Additionally, 1,700 British police officers and UK sniffer dogs, specifically selected by French authorities, are supporting the operation in Paris and Marseille.
Public Appeal
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the suspicious object to contact the police immediately.
