The Louvre is evacuated and closed in full anti-terrorist alert after receiving threats

The Louvre in Paris, the most visited museum in the world, was evacuated this Saturday and had to close its doors for fear of a terrorist attack.

The decision was taken after the museum received written threats, as reported by the institution itself.. The evacuation took place late in the morning, after a normal day in which the Louvre opened its doors at 9:00 a.m.

“Dear visitors, for security reasons, the Louvre museum closes its doors today, Saturday, October 14. Money will be refunded to people who have booked a visit for this same day. We appreciate your understanding,” the Louvre shared on X (formerly Twitter).

The measure is a response to “bomb threat messages”, according to a police source cited by French television TF1/LCI.. “There is an investigation underway,” he added.

According to the French press, up to 15,000 visitors have had to evacuate. The Louvre welcomed almost 8 million people in 2022 and is one of the main world tourist attractions.

France is currently on high alert after a “terrorist attack” this Friday in which a young Chechen Islamist killed a teacher inside a high school in Arras (north), in Pas-de-Calais, and where two other people were injured.

Likewise, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that an attempted attack also occurred this Friday in the metropolitan area of Paris, when a man carrying a kitchen knife was detained near an institute when he left a mosque in Limay.

In the midst of this situation, the French presidency reported this Saturday that up to 7,000 soldiers from operation 'Sentinelle' will be deployed throughout the country until this Monday in response to the raising of the terrorist alert.

Since 2012, jihadist attacks in France have killed 272 people and injured 1,200, especially in 2015 and 2016.

More information soon.