Advertising shoot causes panic in Cannes
A group of masked men in military uniforms briefly caused panic among guests at a luxury hotel near Cannes—until the supposed attack turned out to be an unauthorized shoot for a commercial.
According to witnesses, the men dressed like jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia approached the legendary Hotel du Cap - Eden-Roc in Antibes in a speedboat and attempted to dock there, according to consistent sources on Saturday. The inflatable boat was also reportedly carrying a black flag similar to that of the IS. The false attack also occurred on the first Friday the 13th since the November attacks in Paris, in which 130 people were also killed on a Friday the 13th. The US publicist J.R. Saget, who was sitting on the terrace of the Eden-Roc with Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter during the incident, reported that the guests were shocked. "Someone screamed and people jumped up and ran quickly towards the swimming pool. It was pretty scary," Saget told the "Hollywood Reporter".
Expensive twist
The French internet company Oraxy, which had organized the dubious spectacle, could not initially be reached for comment. A police spokesman told the AFP news agency that the men had previously tried to break through a security barrier at sea. They then tried to dock at the hotel. Gendarmes had confiscated the boat. A representative of the judiciary told AFP that the unauthorized shooting threatened to cost those responsible "very dearly". It is not only a matter of violating maritime law, but also of inflicting "psychological trauma". Investigators are also currently clarifying who the owner of the boat is and who rented it out. The film festival in nearby Cannes is currently taking place under the strictest security precautions. The famous Eden-Roc is always home to stars of the industry. The traditional Aids gala of a US aid organization, one of the most glamorous party events around the festival, will also take place there on Thursday. (SDA)
