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| Paris terror attacks: François Hollande blames Islamic State for 'act of war' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The French president, François Hollande, has blamed Islamic State for a wave of coordinated gun attacks and suicide bombings that killed more than 120 people and seriously wounded almost 100 at a series of venues across Paris. | The French president, François Hollande, has blamed Islamic State for a wave of coordinated gun attacks and suicide bombings that killed more than 120 people and seriously wounded almost 100 at a series of venues across Paris. |
| He described the deadliest terrorist attack on Europe since the 2004 train bombings in Madrid as a “cowardly act” and an “act of war”, adding that France would defend itself. | He described the deadliest terrorist attack on Europe since the 2004 train bombings in Madrid as a “cowardly act” and an “act of war”, adding that France would defend itself. |
| Six sites in the French capital were targeted on Friday evening; gunmen opened fire at a rock concert and on customers in restaurants, and a series of bombs were detonated near the Stade de France, where the national football team was playing Germany in an international friendly. | Six sites in the French capital were targeted on Friday evening; gunmen opened fire at a rock concert and on customers in restaurants, and a series of bombs were detonated near the Stade de France, where the national football team was playing Germany in an international friendly. |
| At least eight attackers are dead, seven of them in suicide bombings. Witnesses to one shooting said police had told them at least one attacker was still at large. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the killings, but Islamic State reportedly released an undated video on Saturday in which it threatened to attack France if it continued to bomb Syria. | At least eight attackers are dead, seven of them in suicide bombings. Witnesses to one shooting said police had told them at least one attacker was still at large. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the killings, but Islamic State reportedly released an undated video on Saturday in which it threatened to attack France if it continued to bomb Syria. |
| The group’s foreign media arm, al-Hayat Media Centre, released footage of a militant who called on French Muslims to carry out attacks, Reuters said. “As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear traveling to the market,” the figure said in Arabic, flanked by other fighters. | The group’s foreign media arm, al-Hayat Media Centre, released footage of a militant who called on French Muslims to carry out attacks, Reuters said. “As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear traveling to the market,” the figure said in Arabic, flanked by other fighters. |
| In the bloodiest incident, 87 people were reported killed inside the Bataclan concert venue in the 11th arrondissement, when gunmen opened fire on the crowd during a concert by US rock group Eagles of Death Metal. | |
| Many people in the crowd were reportedly held hostage until armed police stormed the venue. Some of those inside the Bataclan told reporters three of the tattackers detonated suicide belts as the French security forces closed in. | |
| Video footage shot from outside the venue showed dead bodiesin the street, dozens of people running from the entrance and survivors dragging the injured to safety. Witnesses described the scene inside the venue as a bloodbath. | |
| Related: Paris attack witness: 'he was dressed in black, professional, shooting and killing' | Related: Paris attack witness: 'he was dressed in black, professional, shooting and killing' |
| Police confirmed overnight that six attacks separate attacks had taken place across Paris over a little over two hours. Incidents occurred at: | |
| Earlier reports suggested that as many as 157 people had been killed, before the Bataclan death toll was revised down significantly . The latest death toll from French prosecutors stands at 128. In addition to those killed, across the city, a further 200 people were injured, at least 99 of them seriously. | |
| In a statement in Paris on Saturday morning, Hollande said: “I pay homage to the country’s defenders who fought the terrorists yesterday. Everyone has given their upmost and will be putting in their best efforts in the day to come.” | |
| He called the attacks “cowardly” and said every measure would be taken to fight what he called the terrorist threat. “In this most serious and uncertain time, I call for unity and courage. Even if France is wounded, she will rise.” He put the death toll at 127. | |
| Paris prosecutor François Molins said at least eight attackers had been killed across the city, seven of them in suicide bombings. But one witness told the Guardian that officers had warned him at least one of the terrorists had still not been apprehended. | Paris prosecutor François Molins said at least eight attackers had been killed across the city, seven of them in suicide bombings. But one witness told the Guardian that officers had warned him at least one of the terrorists had still not been apprehended. |
| Psychotherapist Mark Colclough, a British-Danish national, was standing near a cafe on the Rue de La Fointaine au Roi in the 11th arrondissement when a gunman opened fire on patrons inside. | Psychotherapist Mark Colclough, a British-Danish national, was standing near a cafe on the Rue de La Fointaine au Roi in the 11th arrondissement when a gunman opened fire on patrons inside. |
| “He [the attacker] was standing in a shooting position. He had his right leg forward and he was standing with his left leg back. He was holding up to his left shoulder a long automatic machinegun – I saw it had a magazine beneath it.” | “He [the attacker] was standing in a shooting position. He had his right leg forward and he was standing with his left leg back. He was holding up to his left shoulder a long automatic machinegun – I saw it had a magazine beneath it.” |
| Colclough said the man was left-handed and shooting in short bursts. “It was fully intentional, professional bursts of three or four shots. | Colclough said the man was left-handed and shooting in short bursts. “It was fully intentional, professional bursts of three or four shots. |
| “Everything he was wearing was tight, either boots or shoes and the trousers were tight, the jumper he was wearing was tight, no zippers or collars. Everything was toned black. | “Everything he was wearing was tight, either boots or shoes and the trousers were tight, the jumper he was wearing was tight, no zippers or collars. Everything was toned black. |
| “If you think of what a combat soldier looks like, that is it – just without the webbing. Just a man in military uniform, black jumper, black trousers, black shoes or boots and a machinegun.” | “If you think of what a combat soldier looks like, that is it – just without the webbing. Just a man in military uniform, black jumper, black trousers, black shoes or boots and a machinegun.” |
| Colclough said police told him the killer he saw had not been caught. | Colclough said police told him the killer he saw had not been caught. |
| “We were taken to the police station to give a witness statement. The gunman we saw has not been apprehended. They [the police] confirmed that on the way out. We asked if it was safe to walk home and they said definitely not.” | “We were taken to the police station to give a witness statement. The gunman we saw has not been apprehended. They [the police] confirmed that on the way out. We asked if it was safe to walk home and they said definitely not.” |
| Paris authorities warned people to remain indoors where possible and closed the Métro system. | Paris authorities warned people to remain indoors where possible and closed the Métro system. |
| The attacks come 10 months after 20 people died during attacks by Islamist gunmen on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, located close to the Bataclan theatre, and at a kosher supermarket in Paris. | The attacks come 10 months after 20 people died during attacks by Islamist gunmen on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, located close to the Bataclan theatre, and at a kosher supermarket in Paris. |
| The French president, François Hollande, who was at the football match at the Stade de France at the time of the bomb blasts, cancelled plans to attend this weekend’s G20 summit in Turkey and convened a cabinet meeting. In a TV address to the nation, he declared a state of emergency, and closed the country’s borders. | The French president, François Hollande, who was at the football match at the Stade de France at the time of the bomb blasts, cancelled plans to attend this weekend’s G20 summit in Turkey and convened a cabinet meeting. In a TV address to the nation, he declared a state of emergency, and closed the country’s borders. |
| “This is a terrible ordeal that again assails us,” Hollande said. “We know where it comes from, who these criminals are, who these terrorists are.” | “This is a terrible ordeal that again assails us,” Hollande said. “We know where it comes from, who these criminals are, who these terrorists are.” |
| He said the attackers wanted “to scare us and fill us with dread”, but warned France’s retribution would be swift and unflinching. | He said the attackers wanted “to scare us and fill us with dread”, but warned France’s retribution would be swift and unflinching. |
| “We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless. Because when terrorists are capable of committing such atrocities they must be certain that they are facing a determined France, a united France, a France that is together and does not let itself be moved, even if today we express infinite sorrow.” | “We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless. Because when terrorists are capable of committing such atrocities they must be certain that they are facing a determined France, a united France, a France that is together and does not let itself be moved, even if today we express infinite sorrow.” |
| The state of emergency would be in force across the country, Hollande said, meaning some places might be closed and people searched. “The second decision I have made is to close the borders. We must ensure that no one enters to commit any crimes and that those who have committed the crimes that we have unfortunately seen can also be arrested if they should leave the territory,” he added. | The state of emergency would be in force across the country, Hollande said, meaning some places might be closed and people searched. “The second decision I have made is to close the borders. We must ensure that no one enters to commit any crimes and that those who have committed the crimes that we have unfortunately seen can also be arrested if they should leave the territory,” he added. |
| The events brought immediate international condemnation, with Barack Obama calling it “an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share”. | The events brought immediate international condemnation, with Barack Obama calling it “an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share”. |
| The US president said he did not want to speculate on who might have carried out the attacks, but said America was ready to help “our oldest ally”. He added: “Those who think they can terrorise France or their values are wrong. Liberté, égalité and fraternité are values that we share, and they are going to endure far beyond any act of terrorism.” | The US president said he did not want to speculate on who might have carried out the attacks, but said America was ready to help “our oldest ally”. He added: “Those who think they can terrorise France or their values are wrong. Liberté, égalité and fraternité are values that we share, and they are going to endure far beyond any act of terrorism.” |
| The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she was “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.” | The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she was “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.” |
| The British prime minister, David Cameron, who is still expected to travel to the G20 summit, said he was shocked by the events. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help,” he added. | The British prime minister, David Cameron, who is still expected to travel to the G20 summit, said he was shocked by the events. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help,” he added. |
| More world leaders, including many arriving in Vienna for Syria peace talks, have expressed horror at the attacks in Paris, including Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, who called the attacks “heinous”. | More world leaders, including many arriving in Vienna for Syria peace talks, have expressed horror at the attacks in Paris, including Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, who called the attacks “heinous”. |
| “I wanted to express our condolences to the government and people of France for the heinous terrorist attacks that took place yesterday which are in violation and contravention of all ethics, morals and religions,” Adel al-Jubeir told reporters in the Austrian capital. | “I wanted to express our condolences to the government and people of France for the heinous terrorist attacks that took place yesterday which are in violation and contravention of all ethics, morals and religions,” Adel al-Jubeir told reporters in the Austrian capital. |
| “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long called for more intensified international efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and shapes.” | “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long called for more intensified international efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and shapes.” |
| A spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said it was inevitable the talks would be affected. “Those events which happened not far from here will absolutely cause adjustments in the agenda of today’s event,” Maria Zakharova told reporters. | A spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said it was inevitable the talks would be affected. “Those events which happened not far from here will absolutely cause adjustments in the agenda of today’s event,” Maria Zakharova told reporters. |
| Speaking from Moscow, the Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, said Russia “shares the sadness and the pain of the French people. Terrorist crimes are not and cannot be justified. The Paris tragedy requires of us all to unite in the fight against extremism, to bring a strong answer to terrorists’ actions.” | Speaking from Moscow, the Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, said Russia “shares the sadness and the pain of the French people. Terrorist crimes are not and cannot be justified. The Paris tragedy requires of us all to unite in the fight against extremism, to bring a strong answer to terrorists’ actions.” |
| At the Bataclan theatre, concertgoer Julien Pearce said he saw two or three men armed with Kalashnikov-type rifles burst in midway through the concert and begin “shooting blindly at the crowd” for several minutes. | At the Bataclan theatre, concertgoer Julien Pearce said he saw two or three men armed with Kalashnikov-type rifles burst in midway through the concert and begin “shooting blindly at the crowd” for several minutes. |
| “Everyone was running in all directions towards the stage,” he said. “It was a stampede and even I was trampled on. I saw a lot of people hit by bullets. The gunmen had loads of time to reload at least three times. They weren’t masked; they knew what they were doing; they were very young.” | “Everyone was running in all directions towards the stage,” he said. “It was a stampede and even I was trampled on. I saw a lot of people hit by bullets. The gunmen had loads of time to reload at least three times. They weren’t masked; they knew what they were doing; they were very young.” |
| As the massacre unfolded inside, hundreds of officers carrying machineguns surrounded the building before storming it. | As the massacre unfolded inside, hundreds of officers carrying machineguns surrounded the building before storming it. |
| Marc Coupris, 57, still shaking after being freed from the Bataclan theatre, said: “It was carnage. It looked like a battlefield, there was blood everywhere, there were bodies everywhere. I was at the far side of the hall when shooting began. There seemed to be at least two gunmen. They shot from the balcony. | Marc Coupris, 57, still shaking after being freed from the Bataclan theatre, said: “It was carnage. It looked like a battlefield, there was blood everywhere, there were bodies everywhere. I was at the far side of the hall when shooting began. There seemed to be at least two gunmen. They shot from the balcony. |
| “Everyone scrabbled to the ground. I was on the ground with a man on top of me and another one beside me up against a wall. We just stayed still like that. At first we kept quiet. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, it seemed like an eternity.” | “Everyone scrabbled to the ground. I was on the ground with a man on top of me and another one beside me up against a wall. We just stayed still like that. At first we kept quiet. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, it seemed like an eternity.” |
| A man running down the street from the theatre told reporters: “It was horrible, there were so many corpses, I just can’t talk about it.” | A man running down the street from the theatre told reporters: “It was horrible, there were so many corpses, I just can’t talk about it.” |
| French television station BFMTV said the gunmen who attacked the theatre had shouted “It’s for Syria” before opening fire. | French television station BFMTV said the gunmen who attacked the theatre had shouted “It’s for Syria” before opening fire. |
| Images taken by people living near the Bataclan showed bodies in the street, covered by sheets thrown down by local residents. | Images taken by people living near the Bataclan showed bodies in the street, covered by sheets thrown down by local residents. |
| One witness, Anna, who lives near the Bataclan, said they heard firing and threw themselves on the ground. | One witness, Anna, who lives near the Bataclan, said they heard firing and threw themselves on the ground. |
| In a shaky voice, she told BFMTV: “We saw people running and people with guns. The whole area is sealed off. We don’t know what is happening here. Oh my god, there’s a body there. This is horrible.” | In a shaky voice, she told BFMTV: “We saw people running and people with guns. The whole area is sealed off. We don’t know what is happening here. Oh my god, there’s a body there. This is horrible.” |