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Australian woman is gang raped in Paris just days before the Olympic Games. Video shows her begging for help after the attack

An Australian woman was allegedly raped by five men in Paris ahead of the highly anticipated Olympic Games, police said. French prosecutors are investigating the heinous crime, which reportedly took place on the night of July 19.

According to surveillance camera footage, the 25-year-old victim sought refuge in a kebab shop after the horrific incident. Her dress was partially torn and she was wearing it “upside down.”

The store is located on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, near the Moulin Rouge.

What does the video show?

The video shows the woman running into the shop and begging the staff to help her. Employees and customers crowd around her to comfort her. Shortly afterwards, a man enters the kebab shop and the woman identifies him as one of her attackers.

The alleged attacker then patted the woman on the back, but fled after being approached by a customer. Firefighters later provided emergency aid to the woman and later took the victim to a hospital.

The woman was reportedly having a drink near the Moulin Rouge when she was approached by a group of five men of “African appearance.”

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement on Wednesday that the Australian Embassy in Paris had attempted to offer consular assistance to a citizen who had been attacked in the French capital.

“We understand that this is a very traumatic experience and are ready to provide assistance,” the statement said. To protect the victim’s privacy, no further information was given.

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Meanwhile, the Australian Olympic team said it was aware of the crime, with the team’s chief urging the country’s athletes to be extra cautious during the Paris Games amid heightened security concerns.

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The Paris public prosecutor’s office said police were investigating allegations made by a 25-year-old Australian woman that she was the victim of a gang rape over the weekend.

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Paris security authorities are on high alert ahead of the Olympic Games, which begin on Friday with an open-air ceremony on the Seine. The city is deploying 35,000 police officers a day for the Games, which run until August 11, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony.

Disclaimer:With contributions from agencies

The Paris public prosecutor’s office said police were investigating allegations made by a 25-year-old Australian woman that she was the victim of a gang rape over the weekend.

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  • Paris security authorities are on high alert ahead of the Olympic Games, which begin on Friday with an open-air ceremony on the Seine. The city is deploying 35,000 police officers a day for the Games, which run until August 11, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony.

    Disclaimer:With contributions from agencies

    first published: July 24, 2024, 09:17 IST