French Soldier Shoots Machete-Wielding Attacker at Paris Louvre

A man who tried to attack a security patrol with a machete while shouting "Allahu Akbar" was shot by a French soldier. The incident occurred around 10.00 am local time in the Carrousel du Louvre Shopping in Paris. The situation, according to France President François Hollande, was under control but cited that the threat of terrorism "is here to stay."

A patrol of four soldiers is reported to have tried to subdue the assailant using non-lethal force after he rushed at them. Five shots were fired when the attempt failed and after one of the soldiers was injured. The suspect was then taken to the hospital, reported BBC.

The Louvre is home to numerous celebrated art works, including the Mona Lisa. According to French Culture Minister Audrey Azoulay, it will be reopened on Saturday.

An image of the injured suspect believed to be taken by a tour guide shows the suspect lying at the foot of the stairs while surrounded by armed soldiers. There were no explosives found after two rucksacks carried by the suspect were inspected.

President Hollande praised the soldiers' actions and said that the operation had prevented an attack whose "terrorist nature leaves little doubt". He also said to the reporters that he expected the suspect to be questioned when "it is possible" to do so, at an EU Sumit in Malta on Friday.

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.

France has been in a high state of alert since the Paris attacks of 2015. Thousands of troops on the streets form part of the stepped-up response. In January 2015, 17 people were killed in an attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and linked shootings.

A series of assaults by gunmen and suicide bombers claimed by so-called Islamic State killed 130 people in November, the same year. At least 86 people were killed when a lorry plowed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, last July 2016. 

Tags

Paris, Louvre, attack, terrorist

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