Medieval MontSaint-Michel in lockdown after man makes security threats
The medieval Mont-SaintMichel Abbey in France was locked down yesterday morning while 50 police officers searched door-to-door for a man who reportedly threatened to attack security services.
The Unesco World Heritage monastery and monument were closed as a precaution.
A bar owner heard a man uttering threats on the island, in Normandy, north-west France, district prefect Jean-Marc Sabathe told France Info radio.
“For security reasons and to clear up any doubt, since we don’t know his aim, I’ve decided to evacuate the Mont,” he said.
Mr Sabathe said the man was trying to stage a street performance and got into an argument with a cafe worker. Others also reported hearing threats.
“I am ordering house-byhouse searches to verify if the individual is still on MontSaint-Michel,” Mr Sabathe said.
Authorities said the island, which attracts two million visitors a year, would reopen at noon, local time. Tourists were blocked from entering the site and hotels were evacuated.
“There was no panic, we were just surprised,” said Denis Surfys, a journalist on holiday.
Xavier Bailly, head of the monastery that looms over the island, said police had ordered him to stay at home.
“I’m staying calm, I’m waiting for instructions from the authorities,” he told AFP.
Mont-Saint-Michel is one kilometre off Normandy and is attached to the mainland by a bridge. The suspect appeared to be a man in his twenties.
France is still on high alert after a series of extremist attacks since 2015 that have killed more than 240 people.
Security forces have been the target of attacks, most recently during the shooting and hostage-taking in the southern city of Carcassonne and nearby Trebes last month.