PARIS: The Louvre museum in Paris evacuated on Saturday, citing “security reasons,” in the wake of France being on high alert due to an attack in the northeastern town of Arras of Northern France.
The nation raised its security alert to the highest level following a tragic incident where a teacher was fatally stabbed, and three others were severely wounded at a school on Friday.
A spokesperson for the Louvre, known as the world’s largest museum, informed AFP that they had “received a written message indicating a potential risk to the museum and its visitors.”
Louvre Museum Takes Precautionary Measures
“In light of the current national context of an ’emergency attack’ alert, we have decided to evacuate and close the museum for the day while conducting necessary security checks,” the spokesperson stated.
In Arras, police detained the suspected attacker, Mohammed Moguchkov, who had uttered the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar!” (God is greatest).
Authorities have suggested a probable connection to the ongoing violence in the Middle East, with President Emmanuel Macron condemning the act as “Islamist terror.”
The Louvre has assured visitors who had purchased tickets for the day that they will be refunded.
