Paris, August 9, 2026 – The Notre-Dame de la Gare church in the 13th arrondissement of Paris was temporarily evacuated yesterday, Sunday, August 9, 2026, after an elderly woman entered the premises with two grenades. The incident, which occurred before the scheduled mass, prompted a swift response from law enforcement and the evacuation of approximately 100 parishioners.
Elderly Woman Discovers Grenades in Apartment Building
The unusual event unfolded around 10:20 AM when a woman, reportedly over 80 years old, arrived at the church to display two explosive devices she had discovered in the common areas of her apartment building. Sources close to the investigation, as reported by actu Paris, confirmed the sequence of events.
Upon being alerted to the presence of the grenades, police officers quickly arrived at the scene. They immediately initiated the evacuation of the approximately 100 parishioners who were present for the religious service. A security perimeter was established around the church to ensure public safety.
Police Experts Confirm Devices Were Inert
The central laboratory of the Prefecture of Police dispatched experts to the location to conduct a thorough examination of the devices. Their assessment, which concluded around 11:20 AM, confirmed that the grenades were inert and posed no immediate threat. The prompt and professional response of the police ensured the situation was resolved without incident.
Contacted by actu Paris, the public prosecutor’s office had not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
No Injuries Reported, Investigation Underway
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. The elderly woman’s intentions were not immediately clear, but initial reports suggest she simply sought to report her discovery. The discovery of such devices, even inert ones, highlights the importance of public vigilance and rapid response protocols.
The incident caused temporary disruption to the Sunday service at Notre-Dame de la Gare but was quickly brought under control. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the origin of the grenades and how they came to be in the apartment building’s common areas.
This event serves as a reminder of the unexpected situations that can arise, even in seemingly peaceful environments, and the critical role of emergency services in ensuring public safety.
Source: https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/paris_75056/une-femme-agee-arrive-dans-une-eglise-du-13e-arrondissement-de-paris-avec-des-grenades-les-paroissiens-evacues_64644138.html
