More than a hundred people were reported to have been killed in Paris after terrorists armed with guns and explosives opened fire in at least six locations in the city. The incidents which transpired on the night of November 13 are among the worst terrorist attacks ever perpetrated on French soil. As a result of the attacks, President Francois Hollande and his government announced that they will be tightening border controls as well as heightening police presence in the city. The country’s military has also been mobilized when a national emergency was declared. At least 128 people have been confirmed dead while 200 others were reported to have been injured.
Where The Attacks Happened
In apparently coordinated attacks, the gunmen opened fire and detonated explosions in six locations within the city. Majority of those killed were at the Bataclan theater where a concert by the band Eagles of Death Metal was ongoing. According to eyewitnesses, at least two gunmen suddenly stood on the theater’s balcony section and started shooting on the crowd. Initial police reports show that about a hundred people were killed in the concert venue. A suicide bomber also detonated explosives near the Stade De France where the soccer teams of Germany and France were engaged in a friendly match. Shooting also happened at the Le Carillon Bar, the Le Petit Cambodge Restaurant, the La Belle Equipe Restaurant, and the La Casa Nostra Restaurant. The pattern of the attacks were very similar. Gunmen simply entered the popular establishments and opened fire on the customers.
France Declared On A State Of Emergency
When the extent of the bloodshed became clear, President Hollande immediately went on national television to declare a state of emergency. What this means is that the authorities can close sensitive public places as well as impose curfews to control the movement of people and traffic. Leaders of other nations came out to condemn the attacks. President Barack Obama of the United States called the attacks an “attempt to terrorise innocent civilians” while British Prime Minister David Cameron promised that his government will help in every way to bring justice for those killed.
Who Are The Attackers?
The French authorities believe that all of the gunmen have been killed. Seven of the men killed themselves by detonating the explosive vests they were wearing while one was shot and killed by police forces. It’s still unclear if they have accomplices that may be on the run. The French police is now investigating who planned the attacks. According to eye witnesses, some of the gunmen shouted Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest) before detonating their suicide vests which paints the picture that the attacks were perpetrated by militant Muslims.
The Aftermath
Aside from the declaration of the country in a state of emergency, the French government said that it will tighten border measures to control the flow of migrants into the country. The number of people who have been killed is also expected to rise in the coming days because nearly a hundred of those injured are in very critical conditions. And then there’s the uncertainty that there may be gunmen who are still in the loose.