Car searched by French police after it was driven up to Parliament building in Strasbourg.
March 13, 2024 4:53 pm CET
Police were called to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday after an incident involving a car that approached the building.
The driver of the vehicle attempted to enter the Parliament earlier Wednesday, insisting on meeting MEPs, but was refused access, according to a Parliament official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The man later returned in a car, parking directly in front of the Winston Churchill building, after which French police arrived to investigate, the official added.
The Parliament is currently in session for a plenary week, meaning the buildings are full of MEPs, officials and lobbyists.
Three other people said they heard what sounded like an explosion after police arrived at the scene.
Pelle Geertsen, a parliamentary assistant in the Left group, said on X he heard “what sounded like a small boom.” A political adviser, who was granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said she heard “a noise that sounded like an explosion.”
I wonder what the h… is going outside the #EuropeanParliament right?
Edgy police, closed streets and what sounded like a small boom.#EPlenary #Strasbourg pic.twitter.com/CV1tv9M6Eo— Pelle Geertsen (@pellechristy) March 13, 2024
Photos of the aftermath of the incident, seen by POLITICO, showed an ax on the ground and the area cordoned off by police. A Volkswagen Golf car with its four doors and bonnet open can be seen in the photos.
Another photo seen by POLITICO showed the car being towed away.
French police had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
MEPs, assistants and officials received a “crisis communication” text message from the Parliament’s authorities, stating: “Following a check of a vehicle by the French police and as a precautionary measure, the Churchill building (Strasbourg) and parking in/out are blocked.”