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Knife-wielder tries to force way through Eurostar security

A man armed with two knives was arrested trying to get through Eurostar security at Paris Gare du Nord, it has emerged.

Published: 4 March 2016 16:13 CET
Knife-wielder tries to force way through Eurostar security
A Eurostar train at Paris' Gare du Nord. Photo: AFP

The incident occurred on Wednesday, according to Le Point news site.

Police sources that the man brandished the knife and tried to force his way through the security controls to get on the Eurostar. Police were able to overpower him and immediately arrest him.

Police then found a second knife on his body, Le Point reported.

The man is currently being held in police custody and will appear in court on Friday afternoon.

He had allegedly already been arrested in December of last year after trying to board a Eurostar with a knuckleduster, and was admitted by police to a psychiatric hospital following this incident.

Paris is on high alert after last year's terror attacks and security has been stepped up at transport hubs like Gare du Nord.

 

PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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