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[LIVE] 19 nationalities among dead in Paris attack, 'many under 30' - Hollande
Death toll increases to 132 after three die in hospitals • Police find cache of weapons in getaway car, international manhunt underway for man who rented a car seen outside concert hall where 89 people were murdered, first suicide bomber identified
Last updated on 16 November 2015, 4:37pm
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
9 min read
Paris Explosion Terrorist Attack 13th November 2015 Football Match Footage
- Police have reported eight of the militants killed, seven of them via suicide bombings
- Around 200 people have been injured, 80 seriously
- Prosecutor's office warns that "accomplices" could still be on loose
- President François Hollande has declared a state of emergency and ordered increased border checks
- World leaders condemn "terrorist attacks", offer condolences to France
- One World Trade Centre, Wembley Stadium, Christ the Redeemer statue lit in French flag colours in display of solidarity
- French president Francois Hollande blames Islamic State for 'cowardly act of war'
- IS says attacks retaliation for France's role in conducting air strikes in Syria
Images de la fusillade au Bataclan by lemondefr
A Syrian passport found near the body of one of the gunmen involved in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris on Friday belonged to a refugee who passed through Greece in October, a Greek minister told Reuters.
“The holder of the passport passed through the island of Leros on 3 October 2015, where he was identified according to EU rules,” said Nikos Toscas, Greece’s deputy minister in charge of policing.
Mobile phone footage: Paris attacks shootings and explosions near Stade de France
A Greek police source told Reuters that European countries had been asked to check the passport holder to see if they had been registered.
While this finding heavily implies that one of the eight gunmen entered Europe along with refugees, it has not yet been confirmed that the holder of the passport is indeed the perpetrator.
Tunisian foreign minister Naoufel Laabidi told AFP that two of the 127 victims of the attacks were Tunisian sisters aged 34 and 35.
French media have also reported that three of the attackers came from the Brussels neighbourhood in Paris that was raided by police this afternoon.
Reuters reports that one of the gunmen who died after attacking the Bataclan last night was a Frenchman from the Courcouronnes suburb south of Paris.
The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, that they said were designed to show France it would remain a “top target” as long as it continued carrying out air strikes in Syria. French president Francois Hollande responded by describing the attacks as “a cowardly act of war” organised by IS.
A statement purportedly released by Isis after the attack said its fighters strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns carried out the attacks in various locations in the heart of the French capital following careful organisation.
“Eight brothers carrying explosive belts and guns targeted areas in the heart of the French capital that were specifically chosen in advance: the Stade de France during a match against Germany, which that imbecile Francois Hollande was attending; the Bataclan were hundreds of idolaters were together in a party of perversity as well as other targets in the 10th, 11th and 18th arrondissement,” the statement read.
France and those who follow her voice must know that they remain the main target of Islamic State and that they will continue to smell the odour of death for having led the crusade, for having dared to insult our prophet, for having boasted of fighting Islam in France and striking Muslims in the caliphate with their planes.
“This attack is just the start of a storm and a warning for those who wish to draw lessons.”
Hollande in turn described the deadliest terrorist attack on Europe since the 2004 train bombings in Madrid as a “cowardly act of war”, insisting that France would defend itself.
Face à l'effroi, il y a une Nation qui sait se défendre, sait mobiliser ses forces et, une fois encore, saura vaincre les terroristes.
— François Hollande (@fhollande) November 13, 2015He also declared a national state of emergency, tightened the French borders, and announced three days of national mourning.
Gunmen killed at least 80 people at the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris, and took several hostages in a siege that ended when security forces stormed the building. Three of the assailants blew themselves out and a fourth was shot dead.
Other people were killed in a reported suicide blast near the Stade de France and in gun attacks on city centre restaurants.
The Paris prosecution office has confirmed that eight attackers are dead, but said it is possible that terrorists remain at large.
Paris residents have been asked to stay indoors and about 1,500 military personnel are being deployed across the city. Paris Mayor Ann Hidalgo has announced that all schools, museums, libraries, gyms, swimming pools and markets would remain shut on Saturday.
While the gunmen's motives were not immediately confirmed, one witness at the Bataclan heard one of the attackers appear to express support for IS.
"It's Hollande's fault, he shouldn't have intervened in Syria!" the man shouted, according to French news agency AFP, citing the French president's decision to take part in Western air strikes on IS.
The series of attacks not far from the Place de la Republique and the Place de la Bastille struck at the heart of the capital, before and after 10pm on Friday, when cafes, bars and restaurants were at their busiest.
The attack on the 1,500-seat Bataclan hall was by far the deadliest, where the gunmen opened fire on concert-goers who had turned out to watch US rock group Eagles of Death Metal.
In other attacks, customers were singled out at a pizza restaurant, a Cambodian restaurant, a bar and a McDonalds outlet.
Watch the full statement from @POTUS on the attacks in Paris. https://t.co/yQThOvrdxZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 13, 2015The other target was the Stade de France, on the northern fringe of Paris, where President Hollande and 80,000 other spectators had gathered to watch a friendly international football game between France and Germany, with a TV audience of millions more.
The president was whisked to safety after the first of three explosions just outside the venue to convene an emergency cabinet meeting. Three attackers were killed there.
As the extent of the bloodshed became clear, Hollande went on national TV to announce a state of emergency In France for the first time since 2005. This decree enables the authorities to close public places and impose curfews and restrictions on the movement of traffic and people.
Paris witnessed three days of attacks in early January, when Islamist gunmen murdered 18 people in attacks on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, a Jewish supermarket and a policewoman on patrol.
Attack sites:
Bataclan concert venue, 50 boulevard Voltaire, 11th district - gun and suicide bomb attacks
Stade de France, St Denis, just north of Paris - explosions near venue as France played Germany in football friendly
The One World Trade Centre in New York lit up in French flag colours
Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro lit up in French flag colours
Le Carillon bar, 18 rue Alibert, 10th district - gun attack
Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, 20 rue Alibert, 10th district - gun attack
La Belle Equipe, 92 rue de Charonne, 11th district - gun attack
Global condemnation of attacks
The attacks were fiercely condemned by world leaders, with US president Barack Obama describing them as an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians”.
“We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and the people of France need,” Obama said. “Those who think that they can terrorise the people of France or the values that they stand for are wrong.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his deep condolences to Hollande and the people of France, following what he described as “horrible terrorist attacks”.
"Russia strongly condemns this inhumane killing and is ready to provide any and all assistance to investigate these terrorist crimes,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia for global solidarity and joint international action to fight those who “sought to harm global security under any pretext”.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recalls that it has previously underscored the importance of the world community stand united to double its effort to root out this dangerous and destructive plague which targets the security and stability of the entire world,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.
Qatar’s foreign minister Khaled al-Attiyah said the “heinous attacks” violate all human and moral values, and UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a statement offered his condolences to Hollande.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that “such terrorist attacks will not weaken the will of peace-loving countries,” and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah condemned “these criminal acts of terrorism which run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences after the attacks, calling for "a consensus of the international community against terrorism".
"As a country that knows very well the manner and consequences of terrorism, we understand perfectly the suffering that France is experiencing now," he said in a short televised statement.
Prominent buildings lit up in French flag colours
The spire of One World Trade Centre in New York was illuminated in the red, white and blue of the tricolor French flag in a show of solidarity with the people of France.
"Today's horrific attacks in Paris have moved us all, and the more we learn, the more our hearts ache," New York Governer Andrew Cuomo said. "These were cowardly acts of evil by people who have inexplicably chosen to believe in radical hatred above all else. Today, and in the days ahead, New York will light One World Trade Centre in blue, white and red as we stand in solemn solidarity with the people of France, just as they have done for us in our own times of tragedy."
Other prominent buildings followed suit, including the Empire State Building in New York City, Wembley Stadium in London and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In Australia, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Town Hall, and the Arts Centre in Melbourne will also be lit up in the colours of the French flag on Saturday night.
Reactions in Malta
Carmelo Abela, home affairs minister: "Naturally we stand united with the French people. We condemn these acts unreservedly. We are in solidarity with the French people and their government. The Maltese government will keep taking security measures to anticipate anything that can happen. Terrorism unfortunately looks like it will stay in our civilisation."
In view of the unfolding drama in France, AD Chairperson, Prof Arnold Cassola, said: "A restaurant, a concert hall, a sports venue have been
targeted. Symbols of liberty and of the European lifestyle people in France enjoy. We strongly condemn the attack on European values and
our solidarity goes with the people of France, the people of Lebanon,also victims of senseless terror atacks, and with all victims of senseless terrorism the world over".
Calling for changes in laws, Hollande said: "We should be able to expel more quickly foreigners who threaten the safety of our nation."
He is also proposing a bill to extend France's state of emergency by three months."
France is set to intensify operations in Syria." Will also strengthen cybersecurity and capitalise on reserve forces, "a link between the army and the people".
Salah, who is now the subject of an international manhunt after an international arrest warrant was issued by French police, is suspected of renting the black Polo which was near the Bataclan concert hall where 89 people died. Abdeslam’s brother, Ibrahim, was named by the Washington Post as another of the terror suspects, and it was reported that he may be one of the suicide bombers killed in the attacks.
A third brother is believed to have been among seven people arrested on Saturday in the Molenbeek-Saint-Jean district of Brussels, the Guardian reported.
The Guardian reported that there were reports of gunshots, but the panic appeared to have been a false alarm. Nevertheless, dozens of police vans have arrived, telling people to move to sheltered places.
Police have warned people not to approach Salah and say he is “a dangerous individual.
Daniel Mizzi
“We call upon all states to contribute to responding to this crisis, and share in the burden associated with it,” it reads, according to Reuters.
Reports say the man is believed to have been one of the suicide bombers at the Bataclan concert hall. Greek newspaper Protothema said he was travelling with a second man, Mohammed Almuhamed, before travelling on to Croatia and Austria and arriving in Paris on Friday, 39 days after having first arrived on the island of Leros.
According to Le Monde, the names of the two of the brothers were found on the rental contracts for the grey Polo and the black Seat that were used by the gunmen. The third brother was among seven people arrested in Molenbeek, in Brussels.
The man, a French national, who rented the grey Polo in Belgium is still on the run. According to BFM TV, the man may taken part in the attacks or may have been an accomplice.
The MailOnline reports that a parking ticket issued by the authorities in St Jans Molenbeek in Brussels led police to launch anti-terror raids in the district. Seven people were arrested on Saturday, including three individuals who were detained at the French/Belgian border after the car they were travelling in was sighted in Paris at the time of the attacks.
Associated Press reports that one suicide bomber has been identified by a skin sample and had been living in a Paris suburb, while two others were French men living in Brussels.
The station said the French man rented a grey Volkswagen Polo seen outside the Bataclan concert hall but was “not among the seven dead attackers or the men arrested in Belgium.”
Citing police sources, BFM TV in France said the man was not one of the three men stopped on the French-Belgian border on Saturday night. The three men were stopped by police, but since their names were not on any wanted list, they were allowed to continue.
“It’s not known whether he took part in the attacks or was an accomplice, but what is clear that his name does not figure among those who have been arrested so far,” the station said.
The AFP also reported that a 51-year-old Montenegrin who was arrested in Germany two weeks ago with explosives, eight assault rifles, three handguns is being questioned on the Paris attacks, but it refusing to cooperate.
• On Sunday France entered its second day of mourning after 129 people were killed on Friday. The number of injured stands at 352, and includes 99 in critical condition, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins has said.
• The seven attackers have also died in the attacks, but the Islamic State said that eight people had carried out the attack, suggesting that one might have escaped the scene of the horrific attacks.
• One of the gunmen has been identified as Omar Ismail Mostefai, a 29-year-old Frenchman of Algerian descent from the south of Paris. He had been flagged as being close to radical Islam as early in 2010, but had never been linked to terrorism. Mostefai was reportedly identified by his finger, which was found among the rubble of the Bataclan concert hall where 89 people were killed. Mostefai’s father and 34-year-old brother have been arrested and their homes were searched.
• A Syrian passport belonging to a 25-year-old man who was not known to French authorities was found near the bodies of two other suicide bombers. The passport’s owner had entered the European through the Greek island of Leros on 3 October, Greece’s citizen protection minister, Nikos Toskas, said on Saturday.
• On Sunday morning, police found a black Seat Leon which was purportedly used as a getaway car by the Paris gunmen, with reports saying the attackers may have used another vehicle to flee to Belgium.