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Paris attacks: police investigating if Isis 'mastermind' is dead after St-Denis raid – live Paris attacks: police attempt to identify bodies in rubble of St-Denis raid – live
(35 minutes later)
8.44am GMT08:44
'We may have a third terrorist under the rubble'
Jon Henley
The entire third floor of the building at 8, rue du Corbillon in St Denis collapsed during the seven-hour police operation on Wednesday, Georges Salinas, deputy commander of the BRI (police special intervention force) has told Europe 1.
He said that was why it was proving so difficult to identify the bodies “and could mean we may have a third terrorist under the rubble”.
8.31am GMT08:31
Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure has more detail (in French) on Hasna Aitboulahcen, named by multiple reports as the female suicide bomber who died after detonating explosives in yesterday morning’s raids in St-Denis.
The 26-year-old was reportedly the cousin of Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, the suspected mastermind of last Friday’s attacks in Paris.
Police sources told French media yesterday that a female relative of Abu Oud had been under surveillance after police suspected she may have been sheltering him.
Updated at 8.34am GMT
8.21am GMT08:21
Two Britons, believed to be two radical converts to Islam jailed for terror offences, have been detained in Hungary.
The two men were identified by Hungarian police only as Simon Jonathan K., 44, and Trevor B, 40, were arrested last week when they were stopped at the Lokoshaza border station while heading to Romania by train.
They are understood to be Trevor Brooks, known as Abu Izzadeen, and Simon Keeler, jailed in 2008 for funding terrorism and inciting attacks against US and UK armed forces during the invasion of Iraq.
Izzadeen was a high-profile preacher in the mid-2000s, famous for heckling British home secretary John Reid in front of television cameras in 2006. He barracked Reid at a public meeting in Leyton, east London, shouting: “How dare you come to a Muslim area when over a thousand Muslims have been arrested? You are an enemy of Islam and Muslims, you are a tyrant. Shame on all of us for sitting down and listening to him.”
Keeler, 44, was acquitted this July of planning to travel to Syria, after he was discovered by authorities in the back of a lorry in Dover.
The two men were detained for travelling without proper documents and were being held pending extradition to Britain.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “On Sunday, 15 November officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were informed that two UK nationals had been detained in Hungary.
“After further enquiries, UK officers applied for arrest warrants for both men for breaches of notification requirements under Part 4 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008, which were granted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 16 November. Enquiries continue.”
Their arrests are not thought to be linked to the Paris attacks on Friday.
8.05am GMT08:058.05am GMT08:05
There are still doubts as to whether Abdel Hamid Abu Oud, the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks, was the man killed in the raid on the St-Denis apartment.There are still doubts as to whether Abdel Hamid Abu Oud, the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks, was the man killed in the raid on the St-Denis apartment.
Last night, the Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens was the latest senior official to urge caution.Last night, the Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens was the latest senior official to urge caution.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting late on Wednesday night, Geens said Belgian Abu Oud was “not among those arrested or those who have been identified.”Speaking after a cabinet meeting late on Wednesday night, Geens said Belgian Abu Oud was “not among those arrested or those who have been identified.”
French forensic investigators are apparently having difficulty formally identifying the remains of a man and a female suicide bomber, because the badly damaged building in the Paris suburb where they died is at risk of collapse.French forensic investigators are apparently having difficulty formally identifying the remains of a man and a female suicide bomber, because the badly damaged building in the Paris suburb where they died is at risk of collapse.
7.55am GMT07:557.55am GMT07:55
The UK Foreign Office has advised British schools against upcoming trips to France, in line with advice given by the French authorities after the Paris attacks.The UK Foreign Office has advised British schools against upcoming trips to France, in line with advice given by the French authorities after the Paris attacks.
As part of the national state of emergency, the French ministry of education has cancelled all school trips within France by French schools until [after] Sunday,” the Foreign Office said.As part of the national state of emergency, the French ministry of education has cancelled all school trips within France by French schools until [after] Sunday,” the Foreign Office said.
This includes excursions to cultural sites [theatres, museums, etc] and travel by school groups on public transport.This includes excursions to cultural sites [theatres, museums, etc] and travel by school groups on public transport.
These cancellations don’t specifically include foreign school parties, but the French ministry of education has advised foreign school groups to avoid travelling to France until after 22 November.These cancellations don’t specifically include foreign school parties, but the French ministry of education has advised foreign school groups to avoid travelling to France until after 22 November.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends that British schools planning to take groups to France between now and 22 November follow the French ministry of education’s advice not to travel.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends that British schools planning to take groups to France between now and 22 November follow the French ministry of education’s advice not to travel.
The French ministry of education has advised that school trips already under way in France may continue as originally planned.The French ministry of education has advised that school trips already under way in France may continue as originally planned.
This note is being given out at London’s St Pancras station, where the Eurostar from Paris terminates.This note is being given out at London’s St Pancras station, where the Eurostar from Paris terminates.
Note being given out at St Pancras to all arriving pic.twitter.com/zOZfyH5WF2Note being given out at St Pancras to all arriving pic.twitter.com/zOZfyH5WF2
Updated at 7.56am GMTUpdated at 7.56am GMT
7.21am GMT07:217.21am GMT07:21
Latest summaryLatest summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
I’m handing over the live blog now to my colleague Jessica Elgot in London. Thanks for reading.I’m handing over the live blog now to my colleague Jessica Elgot in London. Thanks for reading.
7.10am GMT07:107.10am GMT07:10
The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, has been speaking to France Info radio.The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, has been speaking to France Info radio.
He said he wanted to pay tribute to the forces involved in the raid in St-Denis against the terror suspects, whom he labelled “monsters”.He said he wanted to pay tribute to the forces involved in the raid in St-Denis against the terror suspects, whom he labelled “monsters”.
He did not say whether the dead suspect is in fact Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, the alleged ringleader of the Paris plot, but said that if Abu Oud had managed to return to France from Syria, it showed that there were faults in the entire European system of checks:He did not say whether the dead suspect is in fact Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, the alleged ringleader of the Paris plot, but said that if Abu Oud had managed to return to France from Syria, it showed that there were faults in the entire European system of checks:
Laurent Fabius : "Si Abaaoud a pu circuler depuis la Syrie jusqu'en France, c'est qu'il y a des failles dans l'ensemble du système européen"Laurent Fabius : "Si Abaaoud a pu circuler depuis la Syrie jusqu'en France, c'est qu'il y a des failles dans l'ensemble du système européen"
But he rebuffed suggestions that the attacks were a response to France’s role in the anti-Isis coalition in Syria, saying the reverse was true:But he rebuffed suggestions that the attacks were a response to France’s role in the anti-Isis coalition in Syria, saying the reverse was true:
Laurent Fabius : "C'est parce qu'ils veulent nous détruire que nous sommes en Syrie. Il ne faut pas inverser les choses"Laurent Fabius : "C'est parce qu'ils veulent nous détruire que nous sommes en Syrie. Il ne faut pas inverser les choses"
6.51am GMT06:516.51am GMT06:51
The UK national counter-terrorism security office (Nactso) has published fresh advice in the wake of the Paris atrocities.The UK national counter-terrorism security office (Nactso) has published fresh advice in the wake of the Paris atrocities.
It says those caught up in terrorist attacks should run or hide rather than lie down.It says those caught up in terrorist attacks should run or hide rather than lie down.
The guidance said those caught up in attacks such as that on the Bataclan music venue should “escape if you can”, “insist others leave with you” and “leave belongings behind”.The guidance said those caught up in attacks such as that on the Bataclan music venue should “escape if you can”, “insist others leave with you” and “leave belongings behind”.
After finding a hiding place, victims should “be quiet [and] silence your phone”.After finding a hiding place, victims should “be quiet [and] silence your phone”.
Read more here:Read more here:
Related: 'Run, don't play dead': UK counter-terrorism office issues advice after Paris attacksRelated: 'Run, don't play dead': UK counter-terrorism office issues advice after Paris attacks
6.43am GMT06:436.43am GMT06:43
This graphic by AFP plots the ages of the 113 victims of the attacks whose ages are known. The vast majority were younger than 40, the youngest just 17.This graphic by AFP plots the ages of the 113 victims of the attacks whose ages are known. The vast majority were younger than 40, the youngest just 17.
Attentats de Paris : la jeunesse assassinée #AFP pic.twitter.com/WXqPGvWbkmAttentats de Paris : la jeunesse assassinée #AFP pic.twitter.com/WXqPGvWbkm
6.37am GMT06:376.37am GMT06:37
France’s National Assembly is due to vote today on the state of emergency declared after last week’s attacks.France’s National Assembly is due to vote today on the state of emergency declared after last week’s attacks.
Politicians will vote on whether to extend the law by three months to February, and expand it to allow suspects to be placed under house arrest.Politicians will vote on whether to extend the law by three months to February, and expand it to allow suspects to be placed under house arrest.
The Senate is expected to vote on the same measure on Friday.The Senate is expected to vote on the same measure on Friday.
Related: France under first nationwide state of emergency since 1961Related: France under first nationwide state of emergency since 1961
6.13am GMT06:136.13am GMT06:13
Latest summaryLatest summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Here is what we know about the ongoing investigation as France wakes up on Thursday morning:Here is what we know about the ongoing investigation as France wakes up on Thursday morning:
Updated at 7.23am GMTUpdated at 7.23am GMT
6.03am GMT06:036.03am GMT06:03
Tensions are high in France, which remains in an official state of emergency.Tensions are high in France, which remains in an official state of emergency.
On Wednesday night, a teacher at a Jewish school in the French city of Marseille was harassed in the street and then stabbed by three people professing support for Islamic State, prosecutors have said.On Wednesday night, a teacher at a Jewish school in the French city of Marseille was harassed in the street and then stabbed by three people professing support for Islamic State, prosecutors have said.
Three people on two scooters, one of them wearing an Isis T-shirt, approached the teacher and showed him a picture on a mobile phone of Mohamed Merah, a homegrown Islamist militant who killed seven people in a series of attacks in southern France in 2012.Three people on two scooters, one of them wearing an Isis T-shirt, approached the teacher and showed him a picture on a mobile phone of Mohamed Merah, a homegrown Islamist militant who killed seven people in a series of attacks in southern France in 2012.
The man was not seriously injured.The man was not seriously injured.
Related: Jewish teacher stabbed in Marseille street by trio praising Islamic StateRelated: Jewish teacher stabbed in Marseille street by trio praising Islamic State
5.43am GMT05:435.43am GMT05:43
On Wednesday evening, hundreds of Belgians congregated in Molenbeek – home to at least two of the Paris attackers, the Abdeslam brothers Salah and Brahim, and labelled Belgium’s breeding ground for extremists – to hold a vigil in remembrance of the victims of the Paris attacks.On Wednesday evening, hundreds of Belgians congregated in Molenbeek – home to at least two of the Paris attackers, the Abdeslam brothers Salah and Brahim, and labelled Belgium’s breeding ground for extremists – to hold a vigil in remembrance of the victims of the Paris attacks.
Mohamed Abdeslam, the brother of the two suspects, took part in the vigil. He was released by Belgian police on Monday after several hours in custody and said he did not know where his fugitive brother is.Mohamed Abdeslam, the brother of the two suspects, took part in the vigil. He was released by Belgian police on Monday after several hours in custody and said he did not know where his fugitive brother is.
5.16am GMT05:165.16am GMT05:16
A Facebook post written by Antoine Leiris, whose wife, Hélène Muyal, was one of 89 people who died in the Bataclan theatre, was shared more than 200,000 times in the wake of the attacks.A Facebook post written by Antoine Leiris, whose wife, Hélène Muyal, was one of 89 people who died in the Bataclan theatre, was shared more than 200,000 times in the wake of the attacks.
Leiris’ original post, in French, is here. He writes to the terrorists who killed his wife:Leiris’ original post, in French, is here. He writes to the terrorists who killed his wife:
Friday night, you took an exceptional life – the love of my life, the mother of my son – but you will not have my hatred …Friday night, you took an exceptional life – the love of my life, the mother of my son – but you will not have my hatred …
We are just two, my son and me, but we are stronger than all the armies in the world. I don’t have any more time to devote to you, I have to join Melvil who is waking up from his nap.We are just two, my son and me, but we are stronger than all the armies in the world. I don’t have any more time to devote to you, I have to join Melvil who is waking up from his nap.
He is barely 17 months old. He will eat his meals as usual, and then we are going to play as usual, and for his whole life this little boy will threaten you by being happy and free. Because no, you will not have his hatred either.He is barely 17 months old. He will eat his meals as usual, and then we are going to play as usual, and for his whole life this little boy will threaten you by being happy and free. Because no, you will not have his hatred either.
BBC News has now filmed Leiris in Paris reading the letter aloud. You can watch it here:BBC News has now filmed Leiris in Paris reading the letter aloud. You can watch it here:
5.01am GMT05:015.01am GMT05:01
On Wednesday, Isis said it had executed two hostages, one Chinese and one Norwegian, after earlier demanding ransoms for the two men.On Wednesday, Isis said it had executed two hostages, one Chinese and one Norwegian, after earlier demanding ransoms for the two men.
On Thursday, China confirmed the murder of Fan Jinghui, saying he was was “cruelly killed” and promising to “bring to justice” those responsible.On Thursday, China confirmed the murder of Fan Jinghui, saying he was was “cruelly killed” and promising to “bring to justice” those responsible.
Chinese president Xi Jinping said:Chinese president Xi Jinping said:
Terrorism is the enemy of all human beings.Terrorism is the enemy of all human beings.
China firmly opposes all kinds of terrorist ideology and will resolutely fight any criminal terrorist activity that challenges the baseline of humanity.China firmly opposes all kinds of terrorist ideology and will resolutely fight any criminal terrorist activity that challenges the baseline of humanity.
The Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, had earlier confirmed the killing of Norwegian hostage Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, calling it “painful for the whole country”.The Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, had earlier confirmed the killing of Norwegian hostage Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, calling it “painful for the whole country”.
4.44am GMT04:444.44am GMT04:44
Forensic tests will need to be carried out to identify the two bodies found inside the apartment at the centre of the ferocious firefight in St-Denis on Wednesday.Forensic tests will need to be carried out to identify the two bodies found inside the apartment at the centre of the ferocious firefight in St-Denis on Wednesday.
Damage to the building and the bodies found inside made it impossible to know exactly how many had been killed and who they were, the Paris prosecutor François Molins said.Damage to the building and the bodies found inside made it impossible to know exactly how many had been killed and who they were, the Paris prosecutor François Molins said.
“I am not able to give you a precise number and identity of those killed. There are at least two dead and verifications will likely take longer than expected,” Molins added.“I am not able to give you a precise number and identity of those killed. There are at least two dead and verifications will likely take longer than expected,” Molins added.
“A new team of terrorists was neutralised and all indications are that given their arms, their organisational structure and their determination, the commando could have struck.”“A new team of terrorists was neutralised and all indications are that given their arms, their organisational structure and their determination, the commando could have struck.”
The woman who died when her suicide vest detonated was named by sources as as Hasna Aitboulahcen, born in 1989 and a cousin of Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud.The woman who died when her suicide vest detonated was named by sources as as Hasna Aitboulahcen, born in 1989 and a cousin of Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud.
This detailed report from St-Denis says police officers spoke to the woman before the explosion:This detailed report from St-Denis says police officers spoke to the woman before the explosion:
The police shouted twice: “Where’s your friend?” Each time she replied, her tone frantic: “It’s not my friend.” A second later there was a dramatic explosion.The police shouted twice: “Where’s your friend?” Each time she replied, her tone frantic: “It’s not my friend.” A second later there was a dramatic explosion.
One eyewitness, Christian, 20, gave an account to Le Parisien newspaper. He said: “During a 10- or 15-minute lull in the shooting I heard a woman shouting: ‘Help, help, help me!’ The police asked her to identify herself and to show herself. She showed her hands, but she didn’t reveal her face. She withdrew them and then put them up again several times. They shouted at her: ‘Keep your hands in the air!’ They told her: ‘We’re going to shoot.’One eyewitness, Christian, 20, gave an account to Le Parisien newspaper. He said: “During a 10- or 15-minute lull in the shooting I heard a woman shouting: ‘Help, help, help me!’ The police asked her to identify herself and to show herself. She showed her hands, but she didn’t reveal her face. She withdrew them and then put them up again several times. They shouted at her: ‘Keep your hands in the air!’ They told her: ‘We’re going to shoot.’
“The shooting resumed. The police were firing from the roof of the building opposite. Suddenly there was an enormous explosion [from inside the flat]. It was probably the woman who blew herself up. The windows shattered.”“The shooting resumed. The police were firing from the roof of the building opposite. Suddenly there was an enormous explosion [from inside the flat]. It was probably the woman who blew herself up. The windows shattered.”
4.28am GMT04:284.28am GMT04:28
Ben DohertyBen Doherty
Extraordinary footage of an Isis gunman rampaging through a Paris street has emerged, in which it appears one woman’s life is saved when the killer’s firearm jams as he tries to shoot her, my colleague Ben Doherty reports:Extraordinary footage of an Isis gunman rampaging through a Paris street has emerged, in which it appears one woman’s life is saved when the killer’s firearm jams as he tries to shoot her, my colleague Ben Doherty reports:
The video – CCTV footage obtained by the Daily Mail – shows the scene inside a restaurant in the seconds running up to and including the attack.The video – CCTV footage obtained by the Daily Mail – shows the scene inside a restaurant in the seconds running up to and including the attack.
The gunman in the footage is reported to be fugitive jihadi Salah Abdeslam, who remains on the run six days after the attacks across Paris.The gunman in the footage is reported to be fugitive jihadi Salah Abdeslam, who remains on the run six days after the attacks across Paris.
At the denouement of the assault, the gunman is seen pointing what is believed to be an AK-47 machine gun at the ground where a woman is crouched under a table.At the denouement of the assault, the gunman is seen pointing what is believed to be an AK-47 machine gun at the ground where a woman is crouched under a table.
He appears to squeeze the trigger, once and then again. But the weapon does not fire, either jammed or out of ammunition. The shooter runs off into the street, to a waiting car.He appears to squeeze the trigger, once and then again. But the weapon does not fire, either jammed or out of ammunition. The shooter runs off into the street, to a waiting car.
The woman then stands, looks around, and flees into the night.The woman then stands, looks around, and flees into the night.
You can read the full report here:You can read the full report here:
Related: Video shows woman escape point blank shooting by gunman in Paris attacksRelated: Video shows woman escape point blank shooting by gunman in Paris attacks
4.16am GMT04:164.16am GMT04:16
Bill de Blasio: 'New York will not be intimidated'Bill de Blasio: 'New York will not be intimidated'
The mayor of New York city, Bill de Blasio, has just appeared in Times Square with the New York police commissioner, Bill Bratton, to talk to the press about an Isis video publicised on Wednesday that threatened an attack on the city.The mayor of New York city, Bill de Blasio, has just appeared in Times Square with the New York police commissioner, Bill Bratton, to talk to the press about an Isis video publicised on Wednesday that threatened an attack on the city.
It is after 11pm in New York, an unusual time for a press conference, but the intention was, de Blasio said, to show that “the people of New York city will not be intimidated”.It is after 11pm in New York, an unusual time for a press conference, but the intention was, de Blasio said, to show that “the people of New York city will not be intimidated”.
He said the video was an “obvious attempt to intimidate the people of New York city”, but stressed there was “no specific or credible threat”.He said the video was an “obvious attempt to intimidate the people of New York city”, but stressed there was “no specific or credible threat”.
Bratton said there was “nothing new” in the video, which he described as a hastily put-together “mishmash” of earlier propaganda.Bratton said there was “nothing new” in the video, which he described as a hastily put-together “mishmash” of earlier propaganda.
He agreed that New York “remains one of the top terrorist targets in the world” but insisted “no city in America is better prepared” against potential attack.He agreed that New York “remains one of the top terrorist targets in the world” but insisted “no city in America is better prepared” against potential attack.
4.04am GMT04:044.04am GMT04:04
Opening summaryOpening summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Welcome to continuing live coverage of the aftermath of the raid on St-Denis, which Paris prosecutor François Molins said had successfully “neutralised” a terrorist cell.Welcome to continuing live coverage of the aftermath of the raid on St-Denis, which Paris prosecutor François Molins said had successfully “neutralised” a terrorist cell.
French police fired nearly 5,000 rounds during a ferocious firefight at dawn on Wednesday in the town just north of the capital.French police fired nearly 5,000 rounds during a ferocious firefight at dawn on Wednesday in the town just north of the capital.
Here is how things stand as France wakes up on Thursday morning:Here is how things stand as France wakes up on Thursday morning:
Updated at 6.18am GMTUpdated at 6.18am GMT