Europe 1 with AFP 6:26 p.m., February 18, 2023

Due to a possible suicide which created a movement of panic in the Quatre Temps shopping center, a police operation was underway on Saturday afternoon in the La Défense district of Hauts-de-Seine.

"I asked the prefect of police to go there," tweeted Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.

A police operation was underway on Saturday afternoon near Paris, in the La Défense district of Hauts-de-Seine, because of a possible suicide which created a panic movement in the Quatre Temps shopping center , according to several sources familiar with the matter.

"The police services are on site and securing the scene" tweeted around 5:30 p.m. the Paris police headquarters, recommending to "avoid" the La Défense sector.

"A police operation is taking place at La Défense. I asked the prefect of police to go there," added Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.

A police operation is taking place in La Défense.

I asked the prefect of police to go there.

https://t.co/Ef8dJzlTX7

– Gerald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) February 18, 2023

Doubt removal still in progress

On social networks, several amateur videos showed scenes of panic near and in the Quatre Temps shopping center, in the center of the western Parisian business district.

NOW - Mass panic at La Défense shopping mall in Paris.pic.twitter.com/i9DWagRYFH

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 18, 2023

According to several sources close to the case at AFP, the first elements suggest that it would be a suicide.

A person would have thrown himself from the floors and his fall would have caused a huge noise which would have been perceived by passers-by as an explosion.

A lifting of doubt was still in progress around 6 p.m.