Security plans for Paris Olympics stolen from train

A bag that contained potentially sensitive security plans for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was stolen on Monday from a train at the Gare du Nord station.

Confirming a report by BFM television, police sources revealed on Tuesday that the bag in question belonged to a 56-year-old engineer from Paris City Hall.

In his report to the police, the individual explained that he had placed the bag in the overhead luggage compartment of his seat during his journey around 7:30 pm on Monday.

When the engineer decided to change trains due to a delay, he discovered the theft, realizing that his work computer and two USB drives, which contained data including the municipal police’s organizational plans for securing the Olympics, had been stolen, Agence France-Presse reported.

According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter who spoke to Reuters, the bag containing the stolen items was taken on a suburban train. However, the sensitivity of the data remains uncertain, as the sources were unable to provide specific details.

The regional transport police have initiated an investigation into the incident, AFP said. To enhance security during the Paris Olympics, due to start on July 26, exceptional measures will be implemented, including the utilization of intelligent, algorithmic video surveillance technologies.

The comprehensive security strategy will involve a daily deployment of approximately 35,000 security force personnel, with 2,000 municipal police officers specifically assigned to safeguard the event.

Paris’ military governor has revealed plans to deploy a temporary camp of 10,000 military personnel in the Bois de Vincennes public park located in eastern Paris, as part of security arrangements for the Olympics.

As a result of these measures, residents can anticipate certain zones being accessible only via QR codes, along with other security restrictions.

The government has further advised Parisians to refrain from having parcels delivered during the Games, which are scheduled to run until Aug 11, followed by the Paralympic Games from Aug 28 to Sept 8.

For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony of the Games will take place outside of a sports stadium. The spectacle of boats carrying athletes along the River Seine is expected to draw as many as 600,000 spectators.