French police are prepared for a potential terrorist attack during World Cup celebrations this weekend, according to The Guardian Friday.
Michel Delpuech, the police chief of Paris, said that there could be a “real terrorist threat” at large public outings in France, The Guardian reported. Delpuech said that over 12,000 police forces and 1,600 soldiers will be stationed throughout Paris during the World Cup Croatia-France final, which is expected to amass a crowd of up to 90,000 people at the Eiffel Tower’s fan zone. There could be a crowd of a million people at Paris’ popular tourist spot the Champs-Élysées if France is successful in the upcoming World Cup match. Cars will also not be allowed near the central area of Paris during the celebrations. (RELATED: Paris Is Putting Bulletproof Walls Around Eiffel Tower To Combat Potential Terrorist Attacks)
Depuech’s warning follows a World Cup celebration that got out of hand in Paris Wednesday morning. Fans threw a variety of debris at police who responded by charging at the crowd, The Independent reported. (RELATED: France Will Utilize Thousands Of Police For Upcoming Bastille Day Celebrations)
The World Cup follows the annual Bastille Day celebrations over the weekend. This will also be the two-year anniversary after an Islamic State terrorist rammed into a crowd of people celebrating the holiday in Nice, France, in 2016. The terrorist attack resulted in 86 people killed and injured 450. (RELATED: WATCH: Black African Defense League In France Attacks Joan Of Arc Statue To Protest Slavery In Africa)
There are expected to be up to 100,000 security forces around France for Bastille Day celebrations over the weekend. This will be an increase compared to the 80,000 security forces in 2017, according to Le Parisian.
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