Olympics bomb alert as area around Stade de France placed on lockdown after Paris cops find ‘suspicious object’
A BOMB alert has been issued at the Paris Olympics after cops discovered a suspicious object.
Police are waiting for a specialist bomb squad to arrive at the Stade de France stadium with part of the surrounding area cordoned off, Bild reports.
The nearby Saint Denis Porte de Paris train station has also been closed amid the threat.
Paris’ 2024 Olympic games kicked off last week on Saturday.
Many of the events, including today, are being held at the country’s national arena in northern Paris.
The stadium was reportedly empty when the bomb alert was issued this afternoon, after the first Olympic session of the day ended at 1pm.
The second isn’t set to start until just before 6pm at the arena which can host over 80,000 people.
An enormous security operation was launched ahead of the games this year – thought to be the largest of any Olympics so far.
Organisers have long been preparing for the possibility of terrorist attacks or protests following France’s turbulent July recent election.
Some 18,000 soldiers joined 30,000 police officers to guard the worldwide sporting event in France’s capital, an official told The Sun.
Brigadier General Éric Chasboeuf, the military’s second in command in Paris, previously said: “It’s a huge operation.
“I’ve never seen such a level of security in France. Whatever happens we will be ready.
“France is organising the biggest sporting contest in the world.
“Tensions are rising everywhere, so it’s not just terrorism we have to take into account.
“Keeping the public safe from all threats is our main objective and for a soldier there is no more important mission.”
Chasboeuf said the 18,000 soldiers “are involved in specific counter terrorist operations such as air surveillance and maritime surveillance”.
“But the majority will be patrolling the streets,” he added.