British Policewoman Raped at Knifepoint Near Eiffel Tower in Paris
In a deeply distressing incident, a 23-year-old British policewoman has reported being raped at knifepoint near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The shocking event took place on Monday, and it has sent shockwaves through the city and beyond.
The Assault at Champ-de-Mars
The victim, who was staying overnight in Paris with a friend, informed French police that the attack occurred at the Champ-de-Mars, just before midnight.
She recounted that she was confronted by a man brandishing a knife, who proceeded to assault her.
In her brave attempt to deflect the assailant’s advances, she faced the terrifying threat posed by the knife.
Immediate Police Response
Following the attack, the victim promptly reported the incident to the police. An anti-crime squad swiftly arrived at the scene, and firefighters provided her with care and support.
Police managed to arrest a 35-year-old man approximately an hour after the victim reported the attack, based on the description she provided.
Tourist Staying in Paris
It was revealed that the victim, a 23-year-old British police officer, was a tourist in Paris, staying overnight with a friend in the French capital.
The attacker seemed to have noticed that the victim was in the company of her friend and reportedly hid behind a bush before launching the assault.
Heightened Security in Paris
The incident occurred against the backdrop of increased security measures in Paris.
In response to a deadly knife attack in northern France on October 13, the French authorities raised the national alert level to its highest state.
The attack involved a 20-year-old Chechen refugee, Mohammed, who fatally stabbed a French schoolteacher and injured two others at a school in Arras.
In the wake of this tragedy, France deployed an additional 7,000 troops to patrol key areas across the country.
Palace of Versailles Evacuation
As Paris grappled with this recent incident near the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles faced a bomb threat earlier on the same day.
This marked the second evacuation of the former French royal residence in just a few days. The Palace of Versailles, originally constructed by King Louis XIV in 1661, has served as a symbol of French heritage and culture.