France on alert: Palace of Versailles evacuated amid security threat – police on scene
France on alert: Palace of Versailles evacuated amid security threat – police on scene
REUTERS
The Palace of Versailles has been evacuated following a security scare.
It is the second time in just four days that the popular tourist attraction has been forced to close.
France is on heightened alert against potential attacks following the fatal stabbing of a school teacher in Arras last week.
The Palace of Versailles confirmed the evacuation on social media.
WATCH NOW: The Palace of Versailles has been evacuated
It said: "For security reasons, the Palace of Versailles is evacuating visitors and closing its doors today Tuesday, October 17. Thank you for your understanding."
Footage shared on social media showed a large number of visitors leaving the scene.
The Louvre Museum also closed on Saturday following an anonymous bomb threat.
Paris raised its counter-terrorism alert to the highest level after last week's suspected Islamic extremist attack in northern France.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
French police officers patrol in front of the Louvre museum on Saturday
REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron, who travelled to Arras following the incident, called for a "ruthless" approach towards extremists in France.
Tensions have heightened across Europe in the last 24 hours after an ISIS-inspired terrorist opened fire with an automatic rifle in neighbouring Belgium last night.
Abdesalem Lassoued, 45, killed two Swedish football supporters ahead of the key Euro 2024 qualifier clash in Brussels.
He was cornered inside a cafe in the Belgian capital this morning.
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference in Tirana, Albania
REUTERS
The Tunisian man was shot in the chest and died in hospital from his wounds.
However, the latest evacuation of the Palace of Versailles comes just weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla dined in the famous Hall of Mirrors alongside Macron.
The vast palace, which was formerly a royal residence built by King Louis XIV in 1661, was King Louis XVI's home before his decapitation during the French Revolution.
It will also host equestrian and modern pentathlon events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
You may like
