Saturday November 14, 2015
THE Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that eight terrorists have been killed, but hasn’t ruled out that others may be at large.
One of the dead terrorists was killed by police as security forces raided the Bataclan concert hall to bring an end to the hostage crisis. The seven others all died after committing suicide.
The Prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre could not rule out there were still terrorists at large.The attackers who stormed the concert hall blew themselves up by detonating explosive belts as police closed in on the men holding over 120 hostages inside.
French police say around 120 people were killed inside the concert hall, which suggests the majority of people inside were murdered by gunmen. However some are believed to have survived the horrific ordeal.
A further 38 are believed to be killed in other attacks throughout the French capital as gunmen opened fire at a shopping centre and down town restaurants.
The concert hall, two kilometres from Notre Dame Cathedral, was packed with people watching the Eagles of Death Metal perform.
Eagles of Death Metal - a blues-rock band from California - have worked with music A-listers including Jack Black and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana.
A post on their Facebook page reads: “We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation.”
CNN reported hostages were texting that they were being killed one by one and were begging for a police raid.
A reporter described the scene inside as a “bloodbath”.
Another reporter said police described the scene inside the concert hall as “carnage”, explaining the attackers tossed explosives on hostages.
Five explosions were heard from outside the concert hall and shooting of automatic gunfire as police entered the building. As police closed in on the attackers, they detonated suicide belts, reportedly resulting in the deaths of four more people.
Earlier police officials reported a shootout attack at a Paris restaurant in the 11th arrondissement of the city and an explosion in nearby bar, causing dozens more to be injured and killed.
A STRING OF CO-ORDINATED ATTACKS
French police confirmed there were two suicide attacks and at least two bombings near Stade de France which could be heard by spectators, including the French president, attending a soccer match between France and Germany. At least three were reported to be killed in the bombings.
A separate shooting at a shopping centre was also reported, shortly after the explosions were heard at the stadium.
Dozens of people were killed as gunman opened fire with automatic weapons on diners at a Cambodian restaurant and a nearby bar in the 11th arrondissement. Witnesses reported seeing bodies lying in the street.
A man said he heard shots ring out, in sharp bursts, for two or three minutes. “I saw several bloody bodies on the ground. I don’t know if they were dead,” he said.
“There was blood everywhere,” said another witness.
French President Francois Hollande has closed the country’s borders and declaring a state of emergency while sending extra troops into the French capital.
It is the first time since the Nazis occupied Paris in 1944 that there has been a curfew in the famous city.
Various reports have emerged that the Islamic State has taken responsibility for the attacks but such reports remain unconfirmed. Early reports during the attacks claimed a man apprehended by police said he was recruited by the group.
The Australian government has announced there was no Australians killed in the attacks.
“This is a time of great trial and trauma for the people, government and security forces of France,” said Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop.
“There are no reports of Australians killed or injured at this stage,” she said this afternoon as she offered her support and condolences to the country.
Australian ex-pat Sam Davies, 33, was previously locked in a bar about 300 metres from the attack on the Le Carrillon and Le Petit Cambodg restaurants in the 10th arrondissement.
He said most bars in the area had gone into lockdown.
“Everyone is wandering around dazed in a state of shock,” he told News Corp Australia.
Formerly from Melbourne, Mr Davies has lived in Paris for eight years and lives next door to Le Carillon.
He said he was horrified the popular Le Carillon bar and neighbouring Cambodian restaurant were targeted.
“This isn’t a tourist area, this is young, hipsters,” he said. “It’s the only place in Paris where you can get a good coffee. It’s like Fitzroy in Melbourne.
“It’s really shocking to me, I cannot understand it.”
Hollande, in a televised address to his nation, said the nation would stand firm and united against the attackers.
French security officials believe the violent incidents are co-ordinated but no organisation has been officially identified as responsible.
BFM television reported there were several dead in the restaurant shooting in the 10th arrondissement of the capital.
“It lasted terribly long,” said a witness, quoted by the French newspaper Liberation. “He lifted his Kalashnikov, he pulled into the Carillon. We could hear people screaming, you could not hear the shooter”.
Emilioi Macchio, from Ravenna, Italy, was at the Carillon bar near the restaurant that was targeted, having a beer on the sidewalk when the shooting started.
He said he didn’t see any gunmen or victims, but hid behind a corner then ran away.
“It sounded like fireworks,” he said.
An Associated Press reporter in the stadium Friday night heard two explosions loud enough to penetrate the sounds of cheering fans. Sirens were immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.
Hundreds of people spilt onto the field of the Stade de France stadium after the explosions were heard.
A stadium announcer made an announcement over the loudspeaker after the match, telling fans to avoid certain exits “due to events outside,” without elaborating.
At first that prompted some panic, but then the crowds just walked dazed, hugging each other and looking at their phones for the latest news of the violence.
Many appeared hesitant to leave amid the uncertainty after France’s deadliest attacks in decades.
The attacks comes as France has heightened security measures ahead of a major global climate conference that starts in two weeks, out of fear of violent protests and potential terrorist attacks.
Former US Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff says it is too early to know exactly what happened in Paris.
Social media posts from purported ISIS supporters could indicate that “there was a group waiting for this, but it could be a group watching,” Chertoff said in an interview with MSNBC Friday night.
“I don’t think we can say this proves anything, but again it supports the idea that it’s terrorism,” Chertoff said.
John Cohen, a former Homeland Security Department counter-terrorism co-ordinator, said the presence of multiple attack at the same time suggested a co-ordinated effort to “send a message” and raised immediate terror concerns, including for other cities in Europe and potentially the United States as well.
He said both Al Qaida and ISIS have relied on the strategy of co-ordinated attacks in the past.
WORLD LEADERS REACT - ‘AN ATTACK ON ALL OF HUMANITY’
President Barack Obama is calling the attacks on Paris “outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians” and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
New York went on a heightened state of alert Friday, deploying counter-terrorism police reinforcements to crowded places.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible.
He called the attacks a “heartbreaking situation” and an “attack on all of humanity.”
The attacks come as the president is preparing for two trips abroad. He’s slated to leave Saturday for a nine-day trip to Turkey, the Philippines and Malaysia.
His due to travel to Paris for climate change talks at the end of the month.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron says he is “shocked” by the Paris attacks and violence.
Cameron said on Twitter “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed solidarity with France.
“I am shocked and saddened that so many people have been killed and injured in violent attacks in Paris,” Trudeau said, offering his condolences.
“Canada stands with France at this dark time and offers all possible assistance.”
France has been on edge since deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in January on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher grocery that left 20 dead, including the three attackers.
The restaurant targeted Friday, Le Carillon, is in the same general neighbourhood as the Charlie Hebdo offices.
The country has seen several smaller-scale attacks or attempts since, including an incident on a high-speed train in August in which American travellers thwarted a heavily armed Islamic radical trying to attack passengers.
Already the country is mourning the horrific night with the Eiffel Tower going dark as the nation will wake Saturday in a state of shock.