Massive Terror Attack Engulfs Paris As Multiple Shootings, Gunfire Kill Over 160

 

In obviously well coordinated terror attacks, the city of Paris, France, on Friday came under heavy shooting and multiple explosions that left over 160 dead and several hundreds injured.

 

At least 120 people were killed at the Bataclan Concert Hall while 40 others died in other locations.

 

The attack prompted massive emergency operation across Paris.

A French government official said the country's state of emergency had gone into effect and that President Francois Hollande was cancelling his trip to the G-20 meeting in Turkey.

 

Hollande was due to leave Saturday for the meeting in Turkey, which was to focus in large part on growing fears of terrorism by Islamic extremists.

 

The official, who was not authorised to be named, said the government would hold a defense council meeting in the morning.

 

Two Paris police officials said security forces had ended assault on a concert hall filled with hostages, killing at least two attackers. Neither official could be named, citing ongoing operations throughout the city.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to be publicly named according to police policy.

 

Also late yesterday, two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium north of Paris during a France-Germany friendly football match. It is unclear if the explosions were linked to the other events.

A police official confirmed one explosion in a bar near the stadium. It is unclear whether there were casualties.

 

Two explosions said to be loud enough to penetrate the sounds of cheering fans went off in the stadium. Sirens were immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.

 

The attack comes as France heightened security measures ahead of a major global climate conference expected in two weeks, out of fear of violent protests and potential terrorist attacks.

 

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.

 

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 yesterday, Le Carillon, is in the same general neighborhood 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 travelers thwarted a heavily armed Islamic radical trying to attack passengers.

 

Credits: thisdaylive.com