The Louvre Museum in Paris was thrust into chaos this morning as security forces executed an emergency evacuation following a chilling bomb threat. The world's most visited cultural institution cleared its halls of thousands of visitors in a dramatic security operation.
According to reports from French newspaper Le Parisien, the prestigious museum received a written bomb threat, prompting immediate action from authorities. The warning triggered standard security protocols designed to protect both the priceless artworks and the public.
Mona Lisa Visitors Turned Away
Among those affected were countless tourists who had queued for hours to catch a glimpse of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa. The iconic painting, which normally draws enormous crowds, was suddenly left without spectators as the evacuation order swept through the museum's vast galleries.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion as museum staff and security personnel directed visitors toward emergency exits. The normally bustling halls of the former royal palace fell silent as the building emptied within minutes.
Security Protocols Activated
French police and bomb disposal experts were swiftly deployed to the scene to conduct thorough searches of the premises. The Louvre, no stranger to security concerns given its status as a global icon, has robust emergency procedures in place for precisely such situations.
This incident comes amid heightened security awareness across France and follows similar threats that have targeted other cultural institutions and public spaces throughout the country in recent months.
The museum remained closed for several hours while security teams completed their assessment, with officials carefully evaluating when it would be safe to reopen the doors to the public.
