Gang rape in Paris: Cruel moment: Australian victim flees from her attackers and begs kebab shop staff for help

A harrowing security video shows the moment a visibly distraught Australian woman sought refuge in a Paris kebab shop after being gang raped – and was confronted by one of the men who had attacked her just minutes earlier.

French authorities have launched a full 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 that she was attacked and brutally raped by a horde of “African-looking” men at around 5 a.m. before she was able to escape and seek shelter in the nearby Dounia kebab shop.

Video footage from the Lebanese nightclub on Boulevard de Clinchy in the city’s 18th arrondissement shows the frightened 25-year-old crouching inside the shop, begging the owners for help while staff and other customers try in vain to comfort her.

Then a man enters the kebab shop, but the woman makes a gesture to say that he is a member of the group that just attacked her.

The alleged rapist then approaches her and taps her on the shoulder before he is confronted by a nearby guest and flees the kebab shop.

Staff and patrons of the bar continued to comfort the woman until police arrived at the scene and questioned her about the devastating ordeal before taking her to Bichat Hospital.

The woman, whose dress was worn inside out and who was holding her underwear, also claimed that her mobile phone had been stolen.

The footage is likely to serve as key evidence in French authorities’ investigations into the alarming incidents that cast a shadow over the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in the city later this week.

“Disoriented and unable to speak a word of French,” the woman described her terrible ordeal to investigators. However, she was unable to provide any information about the exact location or circumstances of the attack.

The woman had reportedly booked a flight home for the day after the attack, but is now apparently staying in Paris to assist police with their investigation.

Boulevard de Clinchy, famous for its art and theater offerings, is in the center of Paris’s famous red-light district. Next to the kebab shop where the woman sought refuge, there is a lap-dancing club and a sex shop.

Paris police are trying to prevent fear from spreading among tourists as hundreds of thousands flock to the French capital for the Olympic Games. The Paris public prosecutor’s office confirmed that thorough investigations are underway.

The Australian woman sought refuge in the Paris kebab shop, but was confronted by one of the men who had attacked her a few minutes earlier.

The woman told police that she was attacked and brutally raped by a group of five men “of African appearance” at around 5 a.m. before she was able to escape and seek shelter in the nearby Dounia kebab shop.

“The investigation into the allegation of gang rape, presumably committed during the night of July 19-20, has been entrusted to the second criminal police district,” the Paris public prosecutor’s office said.

The Alliance Paris Police union said investigators would “do everything 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 Olympic Games.

Armed guards were seen patrolling the city’s boulevards and venues, while metal barriers have now been erected along the Seine.

A massive force of about 45,000 police officers from 43 countries and 18,000 soldiers will form the defense system.

But in addition to human efforts, several air units will also be involved in the “unprecedented” operation, including Rafale fighter jets, AWACS surveillance flights, Reaper surveillance drones and helicopters with experienced snipers on board.

Around 1,700 British police officers are already assisting French officers in Paris and Marseille, as well as British sniffer dogs hand-picked by the French authorities.

Images from Paris today show the city behind rows of metal barriers, while locals and tourists dine in restaurants behind fences near the Seine, where the opening ceremony is due to take place on Friday.

The six-kilometer-long metal barrier was erected by the Paris Police Prefecture and will remain in place throughout the Games to prevent and deter unrest.

The anti-terror fence, known as SILT (Steel Belt), represents the first line of defense and was originally erected on July 18.

Anyone wishing to enter the protected area must scan a QR code to enter the cordoned-off part of the city.

In addition, entry into certain zones around some venues is prohibited for all cars; only emergency vehicles are allowed through.