Live: Hollande Blames ISIS for Paris Attack That Killed Over 120
Shotings and explosions take place in French capital Paris on Friday night. Get the news updates here.
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French President Hollande Says ISIS Behind Attacks
The President of France, Francios Hollande has confirmed that Islamic State (ISIS) is responsible for the attacks in Paris while declaring three days of mourning in France.
Having killed over 120 people in six different locations in Paris on Friday evening, seven terrorists died in the bombings while one was killed by the police.
Islamic State released an undated video on Saturday urging Muslims who are unable to travel to Syria to wage holy war to carry out attacks in France, a day after gunmen and bombers killed at least 120 people in Paris.”
Syrian President and Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Share Paris’s Grief
Russian Minsiter of Foreign Affairs, Surgey Lavrov said that there is “no justification for us not do much more to defeat ISIS, other groups.”
Whereas the Syrian President Bashar al–Assad condemned the attacks in Paris calling such acts of terror similar to what his people had faced in years of violent civil war.
British PM Cameron Tightens Security
British Prime Misniter David Cameron has increased the security to the second hight critical level.
PM Cameron called a crisis meeting, and met with the Cobra committe in London to discuss security in the country.
It’s been over 12 hours since the attacks began. What’s the status of investigations? The Associated Press is reporting that the first arrest has been made, even though the police has not confirmed the arrest.
Earlier, French President Francois Hollande had promised to be ‘merciless’ in tracking the attackers and planners of the deadly terror attack in Paris, but at this point, investigators will want to reveal little.
The top focus of the investigators will continue to be to track down any potential accomplices.
The Guardian reports that at the top of the list of suspects would be Islamic State (ISIS). Other suspects would include Al Qaeda and local actors in France.
The lead story in The New York Times states, “American and European counter-terrorism officials were reviewing wire taps and other electronic surveillance records but a senior American security official said there was no immediate indication that there had been suspicious chatter or other warning signs before the attack.”
Security Tightened in Maharashtra
Security in Maharashtrian cities, including Mumbai, has been increased after the terror attack in Paris.
Experts from around the world have drawn similarities between the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack and the Paris attacks that have claimed over 120 lives.
The Disneyland in Paris will remain closed on November 14. In a statement, the theme park has paid condolence to the victims of the horrible attack.
One of the Six Attack Sites Opened to Public
One of the six sites that the terrorists targetted has been opened to the public in Paris.
Cafe Le Carillon was one of the six places where the terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons, killing over 120 people.
World Leaders Condemn the Paris Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is across the channel in London, has tweeted his support to France.
Terrorists targetted six public places, including the France–Germany friendly football match attended by President of France, Francois Hollande, and opened fire with automatic weapons.
Over 120 people have been reportedly killed in the unprecedented series of the attacks in the capital city of France.
The Turkish Prime Minister’s office has called the attack a crime against humanity and pledged cooperation to France in the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan government also extended condolences to the victims of the attack.
After the US President Barack Obama’s statement, Ban Ki Moon, United Nations General Secretary, demanded immediate release of the hostages held by the terrorists in Paris.
The Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron, aslo tweeted his disappointment at the unprecedented attacks that have killed over 120 people in Paris.
Iranian President Cancels Italy and France Visit
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday cancelled a visit to Italy and France following deadly attacks in Paris, while the foreign minister decided to attend Vienna talks on Syria to address threats of extremism.
Eight Extremists Dead
The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that eight attackers are dead after the deadly attack. Seven of them died in the attack.
Prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre told The Associated Press that the eighth attacker was killed by security forces when they raided a concert hall where the assailants had taken hostages.
However, the possibility of some terrorists being at large is was not ruled out by the spokesperson.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. Jihadists on Twitter immediately praised them and criticized France’s military operations against Islamic State extremists. Witnesses in the concert hall described hearing attackers say “Allahu Akbar.”
Police Declare City-Wide Shutdown
The Paris Police has declared a city-wide shutdown of all public amenities, including schools, food markets and such, following the deadly attack in which over 120 people have been killed.
All events and performances in the city stand cancelled following the statement by Paris Police.
The security around all town halls will be beefed up. And alerts will be issued through radio programme in Paris, 107.1 FM.
Emergency Number for Tourists: 0033 (0) 1 45 55 80 00
According to The Guardian report, more than 150 people have been killed while over 200 people – 80 seriously – have been injured in the attack.
French President Francois Hollande Will Not Attend G20 Summit
President of France, Francois Hollande has cancelled plans to travel to Turkey for the G20 summit.
He called an emergency meeting of his national security council for 0800 GMT on Saturday.
President Xi Jinping has offered French President Francois Hollande help, along with the international community, with the security and terrorism combat.
In a telephone call to Hollande, Xi also condemned Friday’s attacks, offering condolences to the victims and their families, according to comments published on the Chinese foreign ministry website.
USA and Canada’s Honour the Victims
The One World Trade Centre in New York and the Calgary tower in Canada were lit up in the colours of the French flag in honour of the victims of the Paris attack.
All Attackers Killed: French Police
According to The Associated Press, French police say they believe all of the attackers involved the shootings and bombings across Paris are dead.
Micheal Cadot, the head of Paris police said on Saturday that authorities however continue their searching for possible accomplices.
Irish Rock Band Cancels Paris Performance
U2, the Irish rock band, has postponed its Saturday night concert in Paris in the light of the attacks across the city on Friday night.
Instead, the band says in a statement that it is resolved to go ahead with the concert “at an appropriate time.”
U2 members say they watched in shock and disbelief at the unfolding events and were devastated by the loss of life at the concert held by Eagles of Death Metal, one of several sites in the city that was violently attacked.
Bataclan Attack During Metal Band’s Performance
Earth of Death Metals, the band which was performing while the attack happened, is trying to know the whereabouts of its band members.
According to media reports, over 80 people were killed at the Bataclan hall during this performance.
Explosions and Shootings at Multiple Places
Shooting at the Bataclan began one hour into the concert of a California rock group called Eagles of Death Metal, BFM TV said.
Another shooting took place in a restaurant in the 10th arrondissement in Paris.
Two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium north of Paris during a France-Germany friendly football match. A police official confirmed one explosion in a bar near the stadium.
World Leaders Condemn Paris Attacks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condemnation. Modi is in the UK on his three-day official trip.
US President Barack Obama too condemned the attack. He called the incident an attempt to “terrorise innocent civilians”. He also said that the US will stand by the French in fighting those responsible for such terror.
Soon after the attacks, French President Francois Hollande addressed the media. He said,
Read the translated version of his televised address here.
On Friday night, a series of attacks struck the French capital, Paris. A shooting took place in a restaurant in the 10th arrondissement of the capital. Even as that news was coming in, an explosion took place in a bar near a Paris stadium.
At the moment it is known that seven places have been attacked but it is unclear who has orchestrated the whole incident. French President Francois Hollande has declared an emergency in the country and has closed all borders.
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