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Louvre attack: French soldier shoots machete-wielding man | Louvre attack: French soldier shoots machete-wielding man |
(2 days later) | |
A French soldier guarding the Louvre in Paris has shot a man who tried to attack a security patrol with a machete shouting "Allahu Akbar", police say. | A French soldier guarding the Louvre in Paris has shot a man who tried to attack a security patrol with a machete shouting "Allahu Akbar", police say. |
The man, who tried to gain entry to the Louvre's shopping centre, was shot in the abdomen and seriously injured. | The man, who tried to gain entry to the Louvre's shopping centre, was shot in the abdomen and seriously injured. |
Reports say he is an Egyptian man, 29, who arrived in France last month. Police have not released his identity. | Reports say he is an Egyptian man, 29, who arrived in France last month. Police have not released his identity. |
President Francois Hollande said the situation was under control but the "threat of terrorism is here to stay". | President Francois Hollande said the situation was under control but the "threat of terrorism is here to stay". |
The Louvre, which is home to numerous celebrated art works, including the Mona Lisa, is due to reopen on Saturday. | The Louvre, which is home to numerous celebrated art works, including the Mona Lisa, is due to reopen on Saturday. |
The incident began at 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT) in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre at stairs leading to an entrance to the museum itself. | The incident began at 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT) in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre at stairs leading to an entrance to the museum itself. |
A patrol of four soldiers are reported to have tried to subdue the assailant using non-lethal force after he rushed at them. | A patrol of four soldiers are reported to have tried to subdue the assailant using non-lethal force after he rushed at them. |
When this failed and after one soldier was injured, five shots were fired. The suspected attacker was taken to hospital in a critical condition. | When this failed and after one soldier was injured, five shots were fired. The suspected attacker was taken to hospital in a critical condition. |
An image circulating in French media, said to have been taken by a tour guide, shows what is believed to be the suspect lying at the foot of the stairs, surrounded by armed soldiers. | An image circulating in French media, said to have been taken by a tour guide, shows what is believed to be the suspect lying at the foot of the stairs, surrounded by armed soldiers. |
Two rucksacks belonging to the suspect, who shouted "God is greatest" in Arabic, have been inspected but no explosives were found. | Two rucksacks belonging to the suspect, who shouted "God is greatest" in Arabic, have been inspected but no explosives were found. |
There were reports of a second arrest, but the prosecutor's office later told the BBC this was not the case. | There were reports of a second arrest, but the prosecutor's office later told the BBC this was not the case. |
Le Figaro newspaper reports that the suspect is an Egyptian who entered France on 26 January from Dubai. Investigators are still reportedly trying to establish his identity. | Le Figaro newspaper reports that the suspect is an Egyptian who entered France on 26 January from Dubai. Investigators are still reportedly trying to establish his identity. |
A number of police raids have been carried out in Paris, including one near the capital's famed boulevard, Champs-Elysees Avenue, and another in its 8th district (arrondissement). | A number of police raids have been carried out in Paris, including one near the capital's famed boulevard, Champs-Elysees Avenue, and another in its 8th district (arrondissement). |
President Hollande praised the soldiers' actions, saying "this operation prevented an attack whose terrorist nature leaves little doubt". | President Hollande praised the soldiers' actions, saying "this operation prevented an attack whose terrorist nature leaves little doubt". |
He told reporters at an EU summit in Malta on Friday that he expected the suspect to be questioned "when it is possible to do so". | He told reporters at an EU summit in Malta on Friday that he expected the suspect to be questioned "when it is possible to do so". |
Fewer foreigners visit Paris galleries | Fewer foreigners visit Paris galleries |
Freedom under threat in France | Freedom under threat in France |
Timeline: Attacks in France | Timeline: Attacks in France |
Hundreds of visitors in the Louvre at the time were held in secure areas of the museum, before they were evacuated gradually after security checks. | Hundreds of visitors in the Louvre at the time were held in secure areas of the museum, before they were evacuated gradually after security checks. |
As the attack unfolded, they were told by security staff to crouch on the floor. | As the attack unfolded, they were told by security staff to crouch on the floor. |
Witnesses described scenes of panic. | Witnesses described scenes of panic. |
One woman, who works at a restaurant in the Louvre, told the AFP news agency: "We saw death coming for us, with everything that's happening at the moment. We were very, very scared." | One woman, who works at a restaurant in the Louvre, told the AFP news agency: "We saw death coming for us, with everything that's happening at the moment. We were very, very scared." |
France has been on a high state of alert since the Paris attacks of 2015. Thousands of troops on the streets form part of the stepped-up response. | France has been on a high state of alert since the Paris attacks of 2015. Thousands of troops on the streets form part of the stepped-up response. |
A series of assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers claimed by so-called Islamic State killed 130 people in November 2015. | A series of assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers claimed by so-called Islamic State killed 130 people in November 2015. |
In January of the same year, 17 people were killed in an attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and linked shootings. | In January of the same year, 17 people were killed in an attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and linked shootings. |
Last July, 86 people were killed when a lorry ploughed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. | Last July, 86 people were killed when a lorry ploughed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. |
Security has become a theme of the French presidential election in April, which sees far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist independent Emmanuel Macron leading the polls. | Security has become a theme of the French presidential election in April, which sees far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist independent Emmanuel Macron leading the polls. |
Though still hugely popular, the Louvre has suffered a drop in visitor numbers amid fears of a militant attack. | Though still hugely popular, the Louvre has suffered a drop in visitor numbers amid fears of a militant attack. |
It was ranked as the world's most visited museum in 2015 but there are doubts whether it still holds the top spot. | It was ranked as the world's most visited museum in 2015 but there are doubts whether it still holds the top spot. |