128 people have been killed and two hundred injured in six separate but co-ordinated terror attacks in Paris. Here is a timeline of how the night unfolded and how things stand on Saturday:
- Two explosions were heard near the Stade de France, where Francois Hollande was watching France play Germany in an international football friendly, at around 8.30pm Irish time.
- Around one hour later there were reports of a shooting at the Petit Cambodge restaurant, about five miles away from the Stade de France.
- By 10pm, French police had confirmed that at least 18 people had been killed. Meanwhile, there were also reports of shootings near the Bataclan theatre, south of the restaurant.
- Within 10 minutes, police officials confirmed that the death toll had risen to at least 26 people, 15 of whom were killed in the Bataclan theatre. They also said that an ongoing hostage crisis had developed at the theatre, which was hosting a performance by Eagles of Death Metal, an American rock band. Between 60 and 100 people were reportedly being held hostage.
- At around 11pm,president Francois Hollande placed the whole of France under a state of emergency and announced that the country’s borders had been closed. It followed confirmation that the death toll had risen to 42 people and a statement from Barack Obama, who said: “We stand together with them in the fight against terrorism and extremism.”
- Around 20 minutes later, French police confirmed two suicide attacks and one bombing near the Stade de France stadium. At least three people were believed to have died in those attacks near the stadium. Soon after that, there were reports of shots and explosions at the Bataclan theatre.
- As the French military were photographed making their way into the centre of Paris, the police outside the Bataclan theatre stormed the building. Police officials confirmed the security forces had launched an assault on the theatre and two attackers had been killed.
- One official described “carnage” inside the building, saying the attackers had thrown explosives at the hostages, and it was confirmed that at least 100 people were killed inside the Bataclan theatre.
- At around 1.40am on Saturday police said they believed all the attackers involved in the string of attacks were dead. They added that a hunt was underway for possible accomplices.
- Shortly after 3am president Hollande visited the Bataclan. Speaking about the fight against those responsible for attacking the country he said: “We will lead the fight. We will be merciless.”
- Around 3.30am the Paris prosecutor’s office said eight attackers had been killed, seven of them in suicide bombings.
- On Saturday morning the death toll stood at 128 people with a further 200 injured, at least 99 of them seriously
- In a statement on Saturday, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the co-ordinated assault saying it sent militants strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns to various locations in the heart of the capital.
“To teach France, and all nations following its path, that they will remain at the top of Islamic State’s list of targets, and that the smell of death won’t leave their noses as long as they partake in their crusader campaign,” said the group.
- Bodies are still being recovered from the Bataclan concert hall on Saturday.
Agencies