On a night when thousands of Paris residents and tourists were revelling and fans were enjoying a soccer match between France and world champion Germany, horror struck in an unprecedented manner.
A French policeman assists a blood-covered victim near the Bataclan concert hall following attacks in Paris. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters
Terrorists -- some with AK-47s, some reportedly with bombs strapped to them -- attacked seven sites – including a concert hall and a sports stadium -- throughout the French capital.
The worst carnage that happened on Friday night was at a concert hall hosting an American rock band, where scores of people were held hostage and attackers hurled explosives at their captives. Police who stormed the building, killing three attackers, encountered a bloody scene of horror inside.
Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said as many as five attackers may have been killed, though it was not clear how many there were altogether and how many were still at large.
French police with protective shields walk in line near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters
In addition to the deaths at the concert hall, another 38 people were killed in five separate shootings in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, according to Paris’ chief prosecutor François Molins. The area to the east and south of Place de la République is typically thronged with diners and partygoers on a Friday night.
Other attackers set off at least two explosions outside the Stade de France soccer stadium, where a large crowd, including French President Francois Hollande, had gathered to watch the French and German national teams play. One police officer said there were casualties there, but they weren’t confirmed by the prosecutor’s office. Play continued but spectators later streamed onto the field and out the exits.
It was unclear who was behind the attacks. However, reports stated that the Islamic State had claimed responsibility, hours after the militant group’s Jihadi John was killed in an US-led air strike in Syria.
French fire brigade members aid an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters
Following the attacks, Hollande declared a nationwide state of emergency -- the first in decades -- and announced the closure of France’s borders to stop perpetrators escaping. The Paris metro railway was closed and schools, universities and municipal buildings were ordered to stay shut on Saturday. However some rail and air services are expected to run.
Hollande, who had to be evacuated from the stadium when the bombs went off outside, said in a televised address that the nation would stand firm and united.
“This is a terrible ordeal that again assails us,” he said. “We know where it comes from, who these criminals are, who these terrorists are.”
Several injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. An emergency has been declared in the nation and the borders have been shut. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters
He later went to the scene of the bloodiest attack, the Bataclan music hall, and vowed that the government would wage a “merciless” fight against terrorism. All emergency services were mobilized, police leave was cancelled, 1,500 army reinforcements were drafted into the Paris region and hospitals recalled staff to cope with the casualties.
France has been on edge since January, when Islamic extremists attacked the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, and a kosher grocery. Twenty people died, including the three attackers. The Charlie Hebdo attackers claimed links to extremists in Yemen, while the kosher market attacker claimed ties to the Islamic State group.
General view of the scene with rescue service personnel working near covered bodies outside a restaurant following shooting incidents. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters
What happened at each location:
>> Shootings and hostages taken at concert hall
The most deaths have occurred at The Bataclan, a popular concert venue. At approximately 9:30 pm, several armed individuals entered and began shooting for about 10 minutes. At around 10 pm, the gunmen began taking hostages. French media quoted officials saying that about 100 people were killed here.
>> Shooting at restaurant
The police said that shootings occurred in a crowded Cambodian restaurant in the 10th Arrondissement.
>> Another restaurant shooting
Gunmen aimed at a bar at the corner of Rue de Charonne and Rue Faidherbe, killing about a dozen, according to French television.
>> Explosions outside a bar near stadium
At least two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France, the country’s main sports stadium during a France-Germany soccer match.
REST IN PEACE ... GOD BE WITH YOU PARIS ...... PRAY TO GOD FOR YOUR LOVED ONES .. #PEACE
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