Bomb scares shutter Paris’s jewel attractions: Louvre and Versailles evacuated amidst tensions

In a shocking turn of events, Paris’s world-renowned landmarks, the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles, were abruptly evacuated on Saturday following chilling bomb threats, as reported by the reputable news agency AFP. This alarming evacuation came on the heels of France escalating its alert level to the zenith, further intensifying the situation with the deployment of 7,000 soldiers nationwide to uphold peace and stability.

A chilling anonymous online message triggered the immediate evacuation of the Palace of Versailles, forcing its closure for the remainder of the day. This iconic palace, frequented by countless tourists, became the center of a major security alert, as per AFP reports citing police sources.

Adding to the unfolding drama, the Louvre Museum, a beacon of art and history, witnessed a similar panic earlier the same day. After receiving a spine-tingling written threat, authorities promptly evacuated every visitor and staff member, sealing off the museum for “security reasons”. Notably, the grand Louvre – the largest museum globally – witnessed alarms blaring throughout, followed by an urgent evacuation call. Subsequently, the police swiftly cordoned off its signature pyramid and underground access.

Iconic Louvre and Versailles evacuated amidst bomb threats: Paris on edge. Photo courtesy of Tangopaso/Wikimedia Commons.

The spokeswoman for the Louvre exclusively revealed to AFP the chilling details, stating that a written message had cautioned of a looming risk to both the museum and its visitors. “In light of the nation’s heightened ’emergency attack’ alert, we’ve taken the decision to evacuate and seal off the museum for the day, facilitating all essential checks,” she elaborated.

France’s sense of security has been rattled after a gruesome incident on Friday (Oct 13) where a man of Chechen origin went on a stabbing spree in the northeastern town of Arras, resulting in one fatality and three severely injured. The prime suspect, Mohammed Moguchkov, was apprehended in Arras after he reportedly shouted an Arabic phrase before executing the fatal assault.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin ominously hinted at a potential link between the current Middle Eastern turbulence and this unsettling incident. Amidst these soaring tensions, France has rolled out a massive plan to station 7,000 soldiers across its territories, aiming for completion by Monday (Oct 16) evening, as confirmed by the Elysee presidential palace.