Paris on lockdown after man threatens to detonate ‘explosive belt’

A man threatened to blow himself up at the Iranian consulate in Paris.

Apr 19, 2024 - 16:00

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Paris on lockdown after man threatens to detonate ‘explosive belt’

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A man has been arrested after he threatened to blow himself up at the Iranian embassy in Paris, saying he wanted to ‘avenge the death of his brother.’

A major police operation was launched in the French capital today after a man threatened to blow himself up less than two miles from the Eiffel Tower.

Witnesses told the man had dragged flags on the embassy floor and said he wanted to ‘avenge the death of his brother,’ Reuters said citing Le Parisien newspaper.

The man was holed up ‘within the consulate in the presence of the ambassador,’ before his arrest, according to the French radio station Europe One.

He was wearing what appeared to be an explosive belt and carrying an ‘object resembling a grenade,’ the radio station reports.

French police secure the area near Iran consulate where a man is threatening to blow himself up, in Paris, France — French police secure the area near Iran consulate in Paris where a man threatened to blow himself up (Picture: Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

French police and firefighters secure the area near Iran consulate where a man is threatening to blow himself up, in Paris, France, April 19, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier — Emergency services outside the embassy (Picture: Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

French police cordon off the area near Iranian consulate, where a man is threatening to blow himself up, in Paris, France, April 19, 2024 in this screengrab obtained from social media video. PIERRE GALAN / @Gln_Pierre via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. — The police cordon (Picture: Pierre Galan/Reuters)

A police source told Reuters the man was seen at about 11am local time (9am GMT) entering the consulate with the alleged explosives.

But when the man exited the embassy, he was searched by special forces who found no actual explosives on him, police sources said.

It is unclear whether the incident had any connection to the current crisis between Iran and Israel, Reuters said.

Heavily armed officers were pictured around the embassy.

Police have asked the public to avoid the area, Al Arabiya English reports.

A person at the Iranian embassy responded to a call from Reuters, but declined to provide any further information, according to France 24 news.

Services have been interrupted on the nearby metro lines 6 and 9 for ‘security reasons’, transport provider RATP said.

The diplomatic mission is located on Rue Fresnel in the 16th arrondissement on the north bank of River Seine just a short distance from some of the city’s main tourist attractions like the Louvre and Champs-Élysées.