French prosecutors are investigating allegations of gang rape against an Australian woman who was visiting Paris

PARIS – French prosecutors are investigating an alleged gang rape of an Australian woman during a visit to Paris, where preparations to host the 2024 Olympic Games are in the final stages, judicial authorities said Wednesday.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement that a 25-year-old Australian woman told authorities in the French capital that she had been raped. The incident is being investigated as a gang rape. French media reported that the woman was raped by five men.

The statement did not mention the victim’s name, but said the alleged attack occurred on the night of Friday, July 19. The woman then sought refuge in a Paris restaurant, where firefighters gave her first aid and later took the victim to a hospital.

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.

According to reports in Australian media, the victim had initially planned to return to Australia immediately, but then decided to stay in France. No further information was provided for privacy reasons.

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 every day for the Olympic Games, which run until August 11, and up to 45,000 for the opening ceremony. In addition, 10,000 soldiers are involved in security operations in the Paris region.