Feature: Chinese witnesses describe moment of shock at Louvre Museum attack

Chinese tourist Mr. Liu was at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Friday when he witnessed the attack that was thwarted by security forces.

"Around 9:50 am (0850 GMT), when I arrived below the glass pyramid, I saw many tourists running inward. There was tension in the air," he said.

On Friday morning, an attacker with a machete wounded a soldier patrolling the Carrousel du Louvre, crying religious slogans. He was seriously wounded in the belly after being shot by another soldier, according to French officials.

"My friends and I were walking around when suddenly I saw a man go to a soldier to attack him. The second soldier could not stop him and then the third soldier shot him," Wu Long, staff member of the Louvre museum, told Xinhua.

French President Francois Hollande said the terrorist character of this attack "is in no doubt."

Details on the assailant remains unknown, and no explosives were found in the suitcases he carried, French media reported.

Dozens of soldiers and policemen gathered near the Louvre museum, with police cars and ambulances parked in front of the Carrousel du Louvre.

"During the incident, we were kept inside the museum, where we left safe," Liu said.

"Whatever happens, I will continue my trip in France and Europe," he added.

French officials later hailed national security forces for effectively dealing with the threat. Endit