The blood-sucking tiny creatures have been spotted in homes, cinemas, hospitals and trains – but a government minister has insisted there is “no outbreak” on Paris’s public transport network.
Bed bugs are seen in the seams of a sofa bed in L’Hay-les-Roses near Paris
Eurostar staff are on alert due to a bed bug infestation in Paris, which has hit the French capital in recent days.
The blood-sucking tiny creatures have been spotted in homes, cinemas, hospitals and trains – but a government minister has insisted there is “no outbreak” on Paris’s public transport network.
Amid fears the critters could spread in the UK, Eurostar said it has extra cleaning measures to help disinfect its cross-Channel trains if required.
Eurostar said the presence of bed bugs on its trains was ‘extremely rare’. File pic
A Eurostar spokesperson told Sky News: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our number one priority and the presence of insects such as bed bugs on our trains, is extremely rare.
“The textile surfaces on all of our trains are cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis and this involves hot-water injection and extraction cleaning, which has proven highly effective in eliminating bugs.
“Any reports on hygiene matters are taken very seriously and our cleaning teams, in addition to the usual cleaning, will also disinfect a train on request or as soon as there is the slightest doubt.”
Despite the concerns, Paris’ deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said that there is “no threat to the Olympic Games”.
Videos of bedbugs in Paris Metro have gone viral on social media.
France’s capital Paris is battling an invasion of bedbugs, just 10 months before the 2024 Summer Olympics. The tiny pests were first spotted in hotels and rental apartments across the city during the summer. Then, moviegoers were disgusted by these bugs in theatres and now, social media users have reported bedbugs crawling around on seats in high-speed trains and Paris Metro. Photos and videos of bedbugs in the Metro train are going viral on X (formerly) with passengers warning others to pay attention before sitting on a seat or dropping their bags.
France24 said in a report that country’s transport minister Clement Beaune has vowed to “protect” the public from the menace by holding a meeting of public transport operators.
Bedbugs had disappeared from daily life in France in 1950s, but their resurgence is mostly due to high population density and more mass transit.
Paris city hall has urged President Emmanuel Macron to take measures to check the infestation, including creating a dedicated task force, said the outlet.
But despite these voices, Paris’ deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said that there is “no threat to the Olympic Games”, and urged everyone to work together to solve the issue. “Bedbugs existed before and they will exist afterward,” he added.
Transport operators have said they will remain “extremely vigilant” and The Local France said there have been no more recent sightings since the one caught on camera by a passenger last week.
Visitors were evacuated from both the three floors and the square under the monument shortly after 13:30pm in Paris.
A security alert on Saturday prompted the evacuation of three floors of the Eiffel Tower, France’s most emblematic symbol, which drew 6.2 million visitors last year.
SETE, the body which runs the site, said bomb disposal experts as well as police were scouring the area, including a restaurant located on one of the floors of the monument in central Paris.
“It’s a usual procedure in this kind of situation which, however, is rare,” a spokesperson said.
As the place is a favourite tourist destination and as many visitors are expected, the area was evacuated a “precautionary measure”, according to the spokesperson.
A large security perimeter was quickly established and traffic was diverted, according to a French police official. Three floors of the monument, including the restaurant of the tower, as well as the forecourt, were evacuated, said the spokesperson.
The alert was lifted after 2 hours and the Iron Lady reopened to the public. “It was a false alarm. People can go back inside,” the official said.
Supporters wave Nigerien’s flags as they rally in support of Niger’s junta in front of the National Assembly in Niamey on July 30, 2023. Photograph:(AFP)
Niger’s military leaders who carried out the coup have claimed that the toppled government of Mohamed Bazoum has authorised France to carry out a military intervention at the presidential palace and free the ousted president.
“In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France with the complicity of some Nigeriens, held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien national guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorisation needed,” a statement by the military junta was read out on national television, according to AFP news agency.
Niger was a French colony for more than 50 years before its independence in 1960. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were strong before the last week’s putsch.
Macron vows immediate action
Though France hasn’t declared that it will carry out any military attacks, President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed “immediate” action if French citizens or interests were attacked in Niger.
On Monday, the French foreign ministry while responding to the allegations denied that it was intervening militarily in the West African nation.
It said that it was focused on securing its nationals’ safety, a day after thousands of demonstrators rallied outside the country’s embassy in Niamey, setting a door to the embassy ablaze.
“It’s wrong,” Catherine Colonna told BFM news channel of the allegations, adding it was still “possible” and “necessary” to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
Anti-French and pro-Russian influence growing
The demonstration reflects anti-French sentiment that runs high in the former African colony, with Russian and Chinese influence growing.
According to local news agencies, anti-French and pro-Russian slogans were shouted at the rallies on Sunday.
Protesters, some carrying Russian flags, said France had failed to shield them against the jihadists, whereas Russia would be a stronger ally.
Crackdown on Bazoum’s party
On July 26, Niger’s presidential guard detained Bazoum, who is perceived as an ally of Western powers, following which General Abdourahamane Tchiani declared himself to be the national leader.
Also read | Niger coup: Ousted prez seen for 1st time since detention, meets Chad’s leader
On Monday, several ministers of Bazoum’s party were reportedly arrested.
Niger is the world’s seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer.
