Cape Town - Reports have emerged that a French soldier at the Louvre in Paris has opened fire on a suspected attacker.
According to the BBC the soldier, who was on guard fired on a man who tried to enter the museum carrying a suitcase and a knife.
Sky News reports that the man tried to enter an underground shop at 10:00, local time.
France's interior ministry said that a security incident was underway and the Louvre has been closed to the public.
"Serious public security incident under way in Paris in the Louvre area," the interior ministry tweeted as streets in the area were cordoned off to traffic and pedestrians.