“Un acte de guerre”
Friday November 13th, 2015. A day that France and the entire world will keep in their memories forever. Less than a year after the attack at Charlie Hebdo, another wave of terror has struck Paris.
The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the open gunfire in the streets of Paris and the attacks at the Stade de France and Bataclan concert hall. French President Francois Hollande has described these attacks as “an act of war”. As a result of the bombings and shootings, 130 people died, hundreds were wounded and many were left in critical condition.
Approximately 81, 000 people were at the Stade de France Friday night, watching a friendly soccer match between France and Germany. The stadium was in a frenzy as security rushed to safely evacuate the crowds. The French President was also in attendance.
The most serious attack of the night occurred at the Bataclan concert hall located on Boulevard Voltaire. With over 1, 500 people in the hall, the attackers barged their way through the main entrance and back of the concert hall. The men proceeded to fire their rifles into the crowd. Some managed to escape by using the emergency exits and others found a route to the concert hall’s roof. Shortly after midnight, elite security forces arrived at Bataclan. They shot one of the gunmen, detonating his suicide belt and two others blew themselves up with the belts. 89 people died and 99 were severely injured.
Several other attacks were carried out on the streets of Paris. Local restaurants, bars and cafés suffered heavy casualties – 39 deaths and many others were severely wounded. At Le Petit Cambodge, a local restaurant, witnesses claim to have heard over 100 bullets being fired.
The French police have identified the majority of the assailants believed to be involved. 9 of them have died and 2 are still missing.
Shortly after, candlelight vigils were held not only in France, but all over the world. Many expressed their respects for the French people in honouring a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the violent attacks.
The strength that the country has maintained in the weeks following the attacks is remarkable - citizens are still sitting outside on café terraces and Paris’ youth are partying near the Bataclan hall. France will not allow the entire nation to remain in fear. They will not allow themselves to lose their joie de vivre.
Image Credit: BBC
Comments