One of the dreadful things that anyone can wake up to is “Terrorist attacks, bomb blasts and people being dead“. To hear such a thing happening anywhere in the world, to anyone is heart-clenching, but in a city like Paris which has always been The City of Dreams for many, and the Fashion Capital of the World is least expected on a Friday night!
A series of gun attacks and bomb blasts shook the city in terror on 13th November,2015. There were simultaneous explosions at various locations , including suicide bombings outside a bar near the Stade de France soccer stadium in the northern area of Saint-Denis.
At least four people died outside Stade de France during France’s match against Germany. Two loud explosions were heard about 15 minutes into the match, and French President Francois Hollande who was there for the match, was evacuated from the stadium.
Shock hailed over 80,000 fans who were in the stadium at the time of blasts
As many as 100 hostages were being held in the Bataclan concert hall. Eighty people were reported killed after gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall and took dozens hostage. The siege ended when security forces stormed the building.
France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after at least 120 people were killed in a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris.
Paris residents have been asked to stay indoors and about 1,500 military personnel are being deployed across the city.
People were shot dead at bars and restaurants at five other sites in Paris. Eight attackers were later reported killed. Police believed all of the gunmen were dead but it was unclear if any accomplices were still on the run after the string of near-simultaneous attacks.
Atleast 140 people are dead and over 200 people are reported injured
No group immediately came forward to claim responsibility. However, the Islamic State group made serious threats against Paris in March and July this year, claiming that its members would “fill the streets of Paris with dead bodies.”
“On the other hand, we – with Allah’s help – want Paris, before Rome and Islamic Iberia and after we blow up the White House, Big Ben, and the Eiffel Tower before Paris, and Rome,” Abu Mohammad al-Adnan, a spokesman for the Islamic State group – also known as ISIS or ISIL – warned in March.
Police and other emergency services were at the attack sites, one of which was close to where the Charlie Hebdo magazine attack happened in January.
Paris’ Deputy Mayor Bruno Julliard said Friday’s attacks were a horrific reminder of the Hebdo massacre, in which 12 people were killed and 11 injured after two Islamic gunmen targeted the publication.
“It’s a heavy recollection of what happened in January,” Julliard said. “Now we are struck again. This is harder. I am shaken.“
The world shows support to Paris and deepest condolences to the deceased!
