French security forces guarding sites set to be used in the Paris Olympics, which gets underway later this week, are intercepting an average of six drones per day, France24 quotes Prime Minister Gabriel Attal as saying.
Attal reminded the public and visiting tourists that there is a ban on flying drones, and that unauthorised drones will be intercepted and their operators arrested. In addition, airspace in a 150-kilometre radius around Paris will be completely closed on Friday evening during the opening ceremony.
France24 said there had been several incidents around the Olympic village on July 21, and, according to a member of Attal’s team, the communications chief of the Brazilian delegation was apprehended for operating a drone.
The French government has reportedly invested EUR350 million in counter drone systems designed to jam or mitigate with laser technology.
On July 23, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a notice to remind drone pilots of restrictions associated with the Olympics. “With the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and a large number of different sports being played at venues across this part of France, EASA would like to remind you that it is important that you don’t fly your drone near any major public event,” the notice read. It was accompanied by links to guidance on French airspace restrictions and data on the risks of flying a drone at public events.
For more information
Image: Shutterstock
