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A false alarm sparked a crowd movement and widespread panic at the Part-Dieu shopping center in Lyon, France, on Thursday, August 28th. Initial reports of shots fired prompted many shoppers to flee, but authorities quickly determined the sounds were caused by firecrackers or mortars.
Initial Reports and Public Reaction
The incident began late in the day, with multiple reports of detonations within the grounds of the Part-Dieu shopping center, located in Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement, near the Part-Dieu train station. Social media quickly amplified the alarm, with users sharing accounts of a potential shooting. One user posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, urging people to avoid the area, stating, “Do not go to the part God there are shots.”
A post from the account @cpasdeslol_X on August 29th, 2025, detailed the unfolding situation, noting the deployment of the CRS (Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité) riot police and disruptions to the TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) public transportation system. The post also suggested initial speculation pointed to a “petrol” related incident as the source of the panic.
https://twitter.com/cpasdeslol_X/status/9zrHFE6zwZ
https://twitter.com/nailicoa/status/9zrHFE6zwZ
Official Response and Clarification
The Rhône prefecture swiftly responded to the reports, working to dispel the growing fear. Prefect Fabienne Buccio took to X to state, “Accounts report detonations at the Part-Dieu shopping center. The number of the national police and the CRS present on site quickly lifted doubt. These are firecrackers or mortars.” She also announced that an individual had been arrested, though details surrounding the arrest were not immediately released.
https://twitter.com/PrefetRhone/status/j5GWnNbNxr
Further reassuring the public, Buccio emphasized that several police patrols were dispatched to the shopping center “to reassure users and traders.” She also urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation.
Preventing Future Panic
The incident highlights the potential for rapid escalation of fear in public spaces fueled by social media and unconfirmed reports. Authorities are now focused on reinforcing the importance of verifying information before sharing it, particularly during times of heightened anxiety. The swift response from the RhĂ´ne prefecture and law enforcement was crucial in de-escalating the situation and preventing further panic.
