PARIS, FRANCE – France was declared in a national state of emergency and closed its borders as over a hundred people were killed in attacks in Paris.
In a report by CNN, at least 153 people were killed in the Paris and Saint-Denis shootings and bombings. The 112 victims were killed at Bataclan, and Saint-Denis is home for national stadium where the soccer match was being held on the same day.
The attack began on a night when thousands of Paris residents and tourists were viewing a soccer match between France and world champion Germany. During the game, terrorists, some are armed with AK-47s, and some have strapped bombs to them, attacked the stadium where the match was underway.
A journalist who was at the venue was able to escape and told the CNN the attack happening in the stadium, “We lied down on the floor not to get hurt. It was a huge panic. The terrorists shot at us for 10 to 15 minutes. It was a bloodbath,” Julien Pearce said. He wasn’t able to hear the conversations of the attackers, but one of his friend who was also able to escape said that he heard the armed men talking in French about Iran and Syria.
According to the Paris prosecutor, five suspected attackers have been “neutralized”, and it’s still unclear what the term precisely meant.
Michael Dorio, brother of a band member of Eagles of Death Metal Julian Doris said that 20-30 minutes after the attack, the band had been performing and heard gunshots. The band stopped playing and headed to the backstage and exited.
Crazy! Stade de France right now. #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/Pz4OhkOTqm
— Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) November 13, 2015
French media reported that SWAT units in Bataclan and the siege is over. Two attackers were killed. The police brought out at least 100 hostages from the concert hall, some of them are wounded. President Francois Hollande Francois told the reporters that “terrorists capable of carrying out such atrocities must know that they will face a France that is determined and united.”
Deputy Mayor Patrick Krugman said the death toll is rising significantly, “We are facing an unknown and historic situation in Paris,” he said.
Hollande called the incident as “unprecedented terrorist attacks” and said the nation knows how to defend itself, to mobilize forces, and knows how to overcome terrorists.
Pearce reported that two men dressed in black started shooting, and after two people got wounded and fell on the floor, the gunmen shot them again. He said the gunfire lasted for 10-15 minutes and saw 25 bodies lying on the floor.
One of the explosions occurred at the Stade de France, home of the French national teams, and a Western intelligence send a direct report that a dismembered body consistent with the aftermath of an explosion from that type of device, was found at the scene.
Traffic on several subways have been interrupted followed by the attacks. People in the streets were being invited to stay on the apartments.
Hollande declared a state of emergency and borders will be closed, and said, “”We have to show compassion and solidarity and we also have to show unity and keep our cool. France must be strong and great.”
The Paris police advised the residents to stay home unless there’s an absolute necessity. French authorities have conducted a terrorism investigation, but was reported that there is still unofficial claim of responsibility, though ISIS applauded the attacks on Twitter.
According to CNN, there are at least six shootings took place in Paris, and three explosions took place at the Stade de France. Two or three gunmen entered the stadium while opening fire on law enforcements, and there were 6 to 8 hostage takers inside the venue.
Meanwhile, US President Barrack Obama made a brief statement on the Paris attacks and said, “Once again, we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris, not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all humanity and the universal values that we share.”
Obama further said that the US are prepared and ready to provide assistance the government and the people of the France need to respond the state terrorism.
Netizens showed their grief and sympathy for Paris through their social media accounts through #PrayForParis making it a trending topic worldwide.