By Iara Kaiser - Political Editor
The worlds’ eyes are on Paris today, after France has declared a national state of emergency in what has been claimed the largest terrorist attack the EU has seen in over a decade.
According to French authorities, a string of seven coordinated shootings and blasts across the French Capital have left at least 127 confirmed dead, with a further hundred still gravely injured.
According to French authorities, a string of seven coordinated shootings and blasts across the French Capital have left at least 127 confirmed dead, with a further hundred still gravely injured.
In what President Francois Hollande has deemed an “act of war” organised by terrorist group ISIS, the highest state of emergency was declared yesterday night, closing off all borders to keep attackers from leaving or entering the country.
The series of terrorist acts began at around 9pm local time, when men dressed in black carrying AK47 guns stormed a local Parisian restaurant, killing at least eleven.
Less than an hour later, three suicide bombers died in blasts outside the ‘Stade de France’, in which French President Francois Hollande himself was watched a friendly football game between France-Germany, and was evacuated immediately; however, the deadliest attack of the night occurred when gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall, killing over eighty people and taking around one hundred hostages. Explosive belts were detonated at the music hall and the attackers were killed on the site.
Currently, a manhunt is underway for a number of armed men who are believed to be at large in the capital.
In light of one of the darkest nights for the city, an inspiring response by Parisians shook the world as the Hashtag #PorteOuverte took off, seeking to offer shelter to those in need of it.
The series of terrorist acts began at around 9pm local time, when men dressed in black carrying AK47 guns stormed a local Parisian restaurant, killing at least eleven.
Less than an hour later, three suicide bombers died in blasts outside the ‘Stade de France’, in which French President Francois Hollande himself was watched a friendly football game between France-Germany, and was evacuated immediately; however, the deadliest attack of the night occurred when gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall, killing over eighty people and taking around one hundred hostages. Explosive belts were detonated at the music hall and the attackers were killed on the site.
Currently, a manhunt is underway for a number of armed men who are believed to be at large in the capital.
In light of one of the darkest nights for the city, an inspiring response by Parisians shook the world as the Hashtag #PorteOuverte took off, seeking to offer shelter to those in need of it.
As hundreds opened their homes to the people affected and provided strong messages of unity, Francois Hollande tweeted: “In the face of dread, there is a Nation who knows how to defend itself, mobilize its’ forces, and once again, will defeat the terrorists.”
A handful of EU Leaders including Germanys’ Angela Merkel and Italys’ Matteo Renzi have offered their sincere condolences to the people of France and ensured they stand side-by-side with France.
The Eiffel Tower, which went dark and has now been closed indefinitely for the victims of the attacks, found world landmarks lighting up in solidarity with France amidst the terror.
The Eiffel Tower, which went dark and has now been closed indefinitely for the victims of the attacks, found world landmarks lighting up in solidarity with France amidst the terror.
In the UK, Cameron warned that an attack of the similar scale is highly likely after holding an emergency Cobra meeting this morning saying: “Plans will be reviewed and lessons learnt. We face the same threat here in the UK.” This warning comes within hours of an evacuation in Londons’ Gatwick Airport, when a man was seen discarding a suspicious package. Officials are still working on the issue.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Stay tuned for further updates.