Secret tunnel unearthed near Paris prison

WEB DESK: A fascinating discovery unfolded in the outskirts of southern Paris, as a mysterious tunnel under construction was stumbled upon near the vicinity of a major prison.

This intriguing find came to light during routine electrical maintenance, catching the attention of both police sources and city officials on Wednesday.

The uncovering of this tunnel occurred on Tuesday, thanks to the vigilant eye of a technician from Enedis, the esteemed manager of France’s electricity distribution network.

While working “in a well for electrical connections” approximately 450 metres away from La Sante Prison, the technician made the startling revelation.

Upon closer inspection, the scene revealed not only the presence of bags of rubble but also a bed, hinting at some form of habitation or usage.

Despite these curious findings, Guillaume Durand, an official from the town hall of Paris’ 14th district, expressed skepticism regarding an elaborate escape plan.

Describing the tunnel as a mere four metres in length and situated in a cul-de-sac on rue de la Sante, Durand noted its distance from the prison, exceeding 500 metres.

He suggested an alternative purpose, speculating that the tunnel might serve as a pathway to the catacombs, catering to the interests of clandestine catacomb explorers, known as cataphiles.

Authorities promptly dispatched an engineer to the site to address the situation, filling in the hole to prevent further speculation or potential risks.

This discovery also sheds light on the allure of the Paris Catacombs, drawing in around 500,000 curious visitors annually to explore its vast underground network.