At least 127 people were killed in Paris from terrorist attacks involving gun shootings and suicide bombs late evening on Nov. 13. The attacks occurred in seven separate locations simultaneously, all near the Stade de France where a friendly match was being played between France and Germany, attended by French President Francois Hollande who was evacuated. Some 100 people were held hostage at a nearby theater where some 60 people were killed, and shootings occurred at a central shopping mall located at a busy subway and railway station, as well as at several popular eateries.
At least 180 people were wounded, according to France24 news.
Eight terrorists were killed, seven of whom by detonating suicide belts.
Hollande accused the Islamic State group of conducting the series of attacks, while U.S. authorities blame terrorist group al-Qaeda because of the sophistication of the orchestrated assault.
The French president also declared a state of emergency and closed the nation’s borders, while urging Parisians to stay indoors.
Speaking in a televised address to the nation on Nov. 14, Hollande said the attacks were “an act of war” committed by the Islamic State group’s “terrorist army,” France24.com reported.
The French president said the atrocities were, “against France, against the values that we defend everywhere in the world, against what we are: A free country that means something to the whole planet.”
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement. It threatened further attacks against France and saidthe killings were in response to airstrikes against its militants in Syria, adding France would remain a “key target,” The Guardian reported.
