Harrowing security footage captured the moment a visibly distraught Australian woman sought refuge inside a Paris kebab shop after being gang-raped, only to be confronted by one of the men who had assaulted her minutes earlier.
French authorities have launched a major investigation into the brazen attack that took place in the early hours of Saturday morning in the French capital’s famous Moulin Rouge party district.
The woman told police she was attacked by a group of five men “of African appearance” and brutally raped at around 5am before escaping and seeking safety at the nearby Dounia kebab shop.
Harrowing security footage captured the moment a visibly distraught Australian woman sought refuge inside a Paris kebab shop after allegedly being gang-raped.
CCTV footage from the Lebanese late-night restaurant, located on Boulevard de Clinchy in the city’s 18th arrondissement, shows the terrified 25-year-old woman cowering in the shop and begging the owners for help as staff and fellow customers tried in vain to comfort her.
A man then enters the kebab shop and the woman gestures to him to indicate that he was a member of the group that had attacked her just moments before.
The alleged rapist then approaches her and pats her on the back before being confronted by a nearby restaurant and fleeing the kebab shop.
Staff and customers remain in the restaurant to comfort the woman until police arrive on the scene and interview her about the devastating experience before she is taken to Bichat Hospital.
The woman, who was described as wearing her “dress backwards” and carrying her underwear in her hand, also claimed her mobile phone had been stolen.
The images are likely to provide crucial evidence as French authorities investigate the alarming incidents, which have cast a shadow over the opening ceremony of the city’s Olympic Games later this week.
“Disoriented and unable to speak a word of French,” the woman told investigators of her ordeal, but was reportedly unable to provide details about the exact location or circumstances surrounding the attack.
The woman had reportedly booked a flight home for the day after the attack, but it is now known she will stay in Paris to help police with the investigation.
Boulevard de Clinchy, famous for its art and theatre venues, is at the heart of Paris’s notorious red-light district, with an erotic dance club and sex shop located next to the kebab shop where the woman took refuge.
Paris police are keen to prevent fear spreading among tourists as hundreds of thousands flock to the French capital for the Olympics, and the Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed a thorough investigation is underway.
The Australian woman sought refuge inside the Paris kebab shop and was confronted by one of the men who had attacked her minutes earlier.
The woman told police she was attacked by a group of five men “of African appearance” and brutally raped at around 5am before escaping and seeking safety at the nearby Dounia kebab shop.
“The investigation into the accusation of gang rape probably committed on the night of July 19-20 has been entrusted to the 2nd district of the judicial police,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
Police union Alliance Paris said investigators “will do everything possible to quickly identify the individuals and bring them to justice.”
The incident occurred despite increased police presence on the streets of Paris ahead of the Olympics.
Armed guards have been seen patrolling boulevards and venues around the city, while metal barriers now line the Seine.
A huge force of some 45,000 police officers from 43 countries and 18,000 soldiers will form the defence system.
But alongside human efforts, the “unprecedented” operation will also involve several air units, including Rafale fighter jets, AWACS surveillance flights, Reaper surveillance drones and helicopters with expert snipers on board.
Some 1,700 British police officers are already supporting French officers in Paris and Marseille, as well as UK sniffer dogs that have been hand-picked by French authorities.
Images from Paris today show the city behind rows of metal barriers as locals and tourists dine in restaurants behind perimeter fences near the River Seine, where the opening ceremony will take place on Friday.
The four-mile metal barricade was installed by the Paris Police Prefecture and will remain in place throughout the Games to prevent and deter any trouble.
This anti-terrorist fence, called SILT or “steel belt”, is ultimately the first line of defence and was initially erected on 18 July.
Anyone wishing to enter the protected area will need to scan a QR code to enter the closed part of the city.
All vehicles are also prohibited from entering certain areas around some of the event venues, and only emergency vehicles are allowed to pass through.
