French security forces shot dead an identified person at Orly airport in Paris after he tried to take hold of a weapon from one of the officials. Passengers claimed on Twitter that they had heard gunshots and hostages had been taken. Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that a special operation is underway at the airport, south of the capital and bomb disposal units have been rushed to the site.
A police spokesman said on Twitter: “Ongoing police operation. Do not cross the security perimeter, follow the instructions.” One passenger wrote on Twitter that shots had been fired in the south terminal. Located 13 km south of Paris, Orly airports remains France’s busiest in terms of domestic flights.
Paris Orly airport evacuated after shooting, reports AFP quoting witnesses
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 18, 2017
Passengers who were scheduled to catch flights later in the day were told not to come to the airport.
The incident, which happened at the “South” terminal, revived memories of a machete attack on soldiers at the Louvre museum in February.
The attacker, a 29-year-old Egyptian, was shot by a soldier. The identity of the man was unknown.
#Orly #airport Air traffic suspended for Orly South & West terminal. Do not come to the airport. Ongoing Police operation #en
— Paris Aéroport (@ParisAeroport) March 18, 2017
#Orly #airport On going special operations led by the #Police. We advise passengers & families not to come to the airport. #en
— Paris Aéroport (@ParisAeroport) March 18, 2017
#Orly #airport On going special operations by the Police. Please follow their instructions (safety area) #fr #en https://t.co/bWKNccdy21
— Paris Aéroport (@ParisAeroport) March 18, 2017
[#Orly]Opération de police en cours. Ne franchissez pas le périmètre de sécurité, suivez les consignes.
— Police Nationale (@PoliceNationale) March 18, 2017
