Channel 9 Olympics broadcast team attacked in Paris

Two members of Channel 9’s Olympics broadcast team have been attacked during an attempted robbery in Paris, a day after a tourist was allegedly gang-raped.

Two members of Channel 9’s Olympics broadcast team have been attacked during an attempted robbery in Paris.

Nine Newspapers reports the pair escaped serious injury after the incident on Monday afternoon.

The Channel 9 tech workers were reportedly walking to their accommodation in Le Bourget, northeast of Paris, when a group of people attempted to snatch one of their backpacks.

They were allegedly assaulted in the scuffle but managed to pull themselves to safety. The alleged attack was reported to police.

Nine has around 200 staff in Paris for the Olympics working across television, radio and print.

“This is a cause of concern for everyone, not just us here at Channel 9,” Nine reporter Christine Ahern told 3AW on Wednesday.

“They were walking back to their accommodation and they were attacked by a group. It was clear it was a robbery because they went for the backpack. There was no weapon used but there was quite a significant assault. The two workers managed to get away but obviously it’s a worry.”

Ahern said the workers were “OK” and had returned to work today.

“But obviously very shaken up by what’s happened,” she said.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said officials were “ready to offer consular assistance to any Australian citizen should they request it”.

A massive security operation is in place for the Olympics. Picture: Alain Jocard/AFP

The latest incident came a day after an Australian tourist was allegedly gang-raped by five men of African appearance early on Sunday morning in a popular night-life district.

The horrific attack, just days before the Opening Ceremony, has cast a shadow over the Games and sparked renewed safety concerns for tourists and athletes.

“It sounds horrific,” Australia’s chef de mission Anna Meares said.

“Obviously, our hearts go out to the woman involved, and we hope she’s been cared for and supported in the trauma that she’s experienced.”

Australian athletes have been warned not to go out on their own or in uniform, and to be careful when leaving the heavily fortified athletes village.

The 25-year-old tourist was found disoriented and unable to speak French outside a kebab shop on Boulevard de Clichy in Paris’ 18th arrondissement about 5am on Sunday, just metres from Moulin Rouge.

She was reportedly found in a stunned state with her dress “backwards” and partially torn off, claiming she’d been raped by five people.

Disturbing CCTV footage later emerged of the moment the young woman sought refuge inside the kebab shop.

Alarmed customers and staff crowd round her in a bid to comfort her when a man enters the shop.

Athletes have been warned not to go out on their own or in uniform. Picture: Mauro Pimentel/AFP

The woman gestures that the man is her attacker and he brazenly walks up to her and pats her on the back.

A customer then confronts the man and he flees.

Police arrive minutes later, with the woman later telling officers the men were “of African appearance”.

She was taken to Bichat Hospital.

The owner of the shop told 7News that the woman could not stop crying and her dress was damaged.

Other reports said the woman was carrying her underwear in her hand and that she had had her phone stolen.

The woman was planning on travelling back to Australia but will now stay in Paris to help police with their investigation.

The Paris Prosecutor’s Office said an investigation into the incident was underway.

“The investigation into the charge of gang rape likely to have been committed on the night of July 19 to 20 has been entrusted to the second judicial police district,” Paris Prosecutor’s office said.

France is under the highest terrorism threat level. Picture: Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Police have launched a major operation following the incident.

DFAT said the Australian embassy “has sought to offer consular assistance to an Australian assaulted in Paris”.

“We understand that this is a very traumatic experience and stand ready to provide assistance,” the spokesman said.

“Owing to privacy obligations we are unable to provide further information.”

The Alliance Paris police union said investigators will “do everything to quickly identify the individuals to justice”, according to Le Parisien.

Australians have been urged to “exercise a high degree of caution” in France due to the threat of terrorism during the Games.

Last week, a French soldier deployed in the anti-terrorism force was stabbed while patrolling at a train station in central Paris by a 40-year-old immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who reportedly shouted “God is great”.

DFAT also warns that crime such as theft, including passport theft, pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglaries and muggings, “are common, particularly in summer”.

“Groups of thieves also operate on public transport, including busy metro lines and trains to/from the airports,” DFAT says. “Take care to protect your belongings on public transport, in crowded tourist areas and at landmarks.”

DFAT’s travel advisory makes no specific mention of safety concerns for women while travelling in France.

Originally published as Channel 9 Olympics broadcast team attacked in Paris