Police investigate alleged gang rape of Australian woman in Paris

French police are investigating allegations that a 25-year-old Australian woman was raped by five men a few days before the Olympic Games in Paris.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that officials were investigating allegations of gang rape “presumably committed on the night of July 19-20, 2024.”

Reports of the alleged attack in the early hours of Saturday morning in the French capital’s famous party district of Montmartre first circulated in the French media on Monday.

A police union spokesman told ABC he was the source of these reports and confirmed that “a young, desperate-looking Australian woman, 25 years old, fled to a kebab shop on Boulevard de Clichy at around 5 a.m.”

The police union spokesman claimed the woman did not speak French and did not provide much information about when and where the incident occurred.

The police union spokesman claimed the woman told investigators she was raped by five men. The police union spokesman also claimed the woman was taken to a local hospital by emergency responders.

A spokesman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said authorities were ready to provide assistance.

“The Australian Embassy in Paris is making urgent enquiries to the French authorities following reports of an attack on an Australian citizen in Paris,” the spokesman said.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.”

The alleged attack occurred as athletes and tourists from around the world flocked to Paris for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The first events begin on Wednesday before the opening ceremony on Friday.

Last year, the head of the Paris Olympics claimed the French capital would be “the safest place in the world” during the global sporting event.

A major security operation is underway in the city; large parts of Paris have been cordoned off and armed police squads are patrolling the streets.

Up to 45,000 police officers and a contingent of 10,000 soldiers are on site to respond to any security threats.

When asked about the alleged attack, Anna Meares, Chef de Mission of the Australian team, said: “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the woman affected and we hope that she receives help and care during her traumatic experience.”

“There hasn’t been a lot of detail and information coming through and the information we are passing on to our athletes is that the security presence is really, really high so they can act as quickly as possible and ensure their safety,” Ms Meares said.

“We encourage them not to leave the village alone and not to wear team uniforms, only civilian clothes. We are just waiting for more information on the actual case.”