The Olympic torch will finally enter France when it reaches the southern seaport of Marseille. Of course security is a hot topic in the lead up to the games, so take a look at how Marseille is preparing for the ceremony.

Marseille

The Olympic flame is poised to make its entrance into France, landing at the southern seaport city of Marseille, sparking a heightened security preparation in anticipation of the event. Marseille is augmenting its security measures significantly in preparation for the ceremonial arrival of the Olympic flame, marking an unprecedented level of surveillance in the city's old port area.

An estimated 6,000 officers will be deployed for the event, showcasing an intensive security operation in the city. The presence of heavily armed police officers patrolling the area underscores the comprehensive efforts to ensure the event's safety. Additionally, the gendarmerie are implementing anti-drone operations to mitigate any airborne threats, employing advanced radar and infrared cameras to detect and neutralize suspicious drones with signal jammers or, in urgent cases, shooting them down.

The security measures extend beyond the skies, with French custom officers intensifying their inspections of the maritime domain. They have been conducting simulation exercises to apprehend suspicious vessels, enhancing security on the city's shores. A section of Marseille's old port will be restricted access from Tuesday evening, with spectators allowed entry only after thorough security screenings, including a search for explosives with the assistance of specialist sniffer dogs examining around 3,400 boats.

Bomb disposal teams are also actively surveying the waters around the old port to secure the underwater area, illustrating the depth of the security preparations encompassing land, sea, and air. These measures highlight the comprehensive and meticulous approach Marseille is taking to ensure a safe and secure environment for the arrival of the Olympic flame.




Security amped up as the Olympic flame arrives in Marseille

Heavily armed police officers on patrol at Marseille's old port. The southern city has never seen such levels of surveillance. It's all in preparation for the arrival of the Olympic flame on Wednesday, during which 6,000 officers are expected to be deployed. To counter any potential threats coming from the skies, the gendarmerie are carrying out anti-drone operations. Any suspicious objects flying above are quickly spotted with the help of modern radars and infrared cameras, then neutralised using signal jammers. We can interfere with the signal so that the drone gets sent back to its pilot, or in urgent situations we shoot it down. Hazards in the sky and also on the city's shores. For days now, French custom officers have been stepping up their security operations. They are carrying out a stimulation exercise where they intercept a suspicious vessel, arresting the individuals on board. From Tuesday evening, a part of Marseille's old port will be completely cornered off. Spectators will enter from this zone after going through security checks. A search for explosives is also underway with the help of AT specialist sniffer dogs who will comb through 3,400 boats. We've searched around 40 boats so far. We haven't found any. Security operations on ground level but also under the sea. Bomb disposal teams are surveying waters around the old port as well.

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