Paris gang rape attack: Harrowing moment Aussie victim flees her attackers and begs for help from kebab shop staff

Harrowing security vision has captured the moment a visibly distressed Australian woman sought refuge inside a Paris kebab shop after being gang raped – only to be confronted by one of the men who’d assaulted her minutes earlier.

French authorities have launched a major investigation into the brazen attack, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, in the French capital’s famous Moulin Rouge party precinct, just days before the Olympics begins.

The woman told police she was set upon by a pack of five men ‘of African appearance’ and brutally raped at about 5am before escaping and seeking safety in the nearby Dounia kebab shop.

CCTV footage from the late-night Lebanese food restaurant, located on the Boulevard de Clinchy in the city’s 18th arrondissement, shows the terrified 25-year-old cowering in the shop and begging the owners for help as staff and fellow patrons try in vain to comfort her.

A man then enters the kebab shop, only for the woman to gesture that he was a member of the group that had attacked her only moments ago.

The alleged rapist then approaches her and pats her on the back before placing an order for some food.

A diner then confronts the alleged rapist, taking a swing as staff jump in to break them up. The man then leaves the restaurant.

Staff and patrons continue to console the woman until police arrive at the scene and interview her about the devastating ordeal before she was taken to Bichat hospital.

The woman, who was described having 'her dress inside out' and carrying her underwear in her hand, also claimed her mobile phone had been stolen.

The footage is likely to form critical evidence as French authorities investigate the alarming incidents, which has cast a pall over the city’s Olympic Games opening ceremony later this week.

The woman was said to be 'disoriented and unable to speak a word of French' as she told police what had happened. She was reportedly unable to give details on the exact place or circumstances surrounding the attack.

The woman was reportedly had booked a flight home for the day after the attack but is now understood to be staying on in Paris to assist police with the investigation.

The Boulevard de Clinchy, famed for its arts and theatre outlets, is in the centre of Paris’s famed red-light district, with a lap dancing club and a sex shop located next to the kebab shop where the woman took refuge.

Parisian police want to avoid fear being spread among tourists as hundreds of thousands flock to the French capital for the Olympic Games, with Paris Prosecutor's Office confirming a thorough investigation was underway.

'The investigation into the charge of gang rape likely to have been committed on the night of July 19 to 20 has been entrusted to the second judicial police district,' Paris Prosecutor's office said.

Alliance Paris Police Union said investigators will 'do everything to quickly identify the individuals and bring them to justice'.

The incident despite an increased police presences on the streets of Paris ahead of the Olympic Games.

Armed guards have been spotted patrolling the city’s boulevards and venues, while metal barriers now line the Seine.

A huge force of some 45,000 police officers drafted in from 43 countries and 18,000 soldiers will make up the defence system.

But alongside human efforts, several aerial units will also be involved in the 'unprecedented' operation, including Rafale fighter jets, AWACS surveillance flights, Reaper surveillance drones and helicopters with expert snipers on board.

Some 1,700 members of the British police force are already supporting French officers in Paris and Marseille as well as UK sniffer dogs that have been handpicked by French authorities.

Images from Paris today show the city behind rows of metal barriers as locals and tourists dine at restaurants behind perimeter fencing near the River Seine - where the opening ceremony is set to take place on Friday.

The four-mile metal barricade was put in place by the Paris Police Prefecture and will remain throughout the Games to prevent and deter any trouble.

Dubbed the SILT, or the 'belt of steel' the anti-terrorism fencing is ultimately the first line of defence and were initially erected on July 18.

Anyone who wants to enter the protected area will need to scan a QR code to me it into the gated part of the city.

All cars are also banned from entering certain zones around some of the event venues with solely emergency vehicles allowed through.