French police have released two men who were detained on suspicion of participating in an alleged gang rape of a Mexican tourist in the Champ de Mars park, situated at the foot of the iconic Eiffel Tower in central Paris.
The incident has drawn significant attention and concern, prompting an ongoing investigation by Paris prosecutors.
As per the initial report by Le Parisien daily, the 27-year-old woman was reportedly attacked by a group of five men. However, the prosecutors have not yet confirmed this account, and the investigation is still in progress.
The Champ de Mars park, being a popular destination among both tourists and locals, has become the center of discussions regarding its nighttime accessibility and safety measures.
Notably, unlike most other parks in Paris that close during the night, the Champ de Mars remains accessible round-the-clock, which has revived calls for potential changes in its operating hours. This reported rape incident has intensified pressure on Paris’s Socialist Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, to consider closing the park during nighttime to ensure the safety of visitors and residents alike.
The significance of the Champ de Mars park is set to increase further as it will serve as a key venue during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The park is slated to host beach volleyball events at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and judo and wrestling competitions at the temporary Arena Champ de Mars, situated at the other end of the park.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are likely to evaluate the safety measures and consider measures to address the concerns raised by this distressing incident, ensuring that visitors can enjoy the beauty of the iconic Eiffel Tower and its surroundings in a secure environment.