At least 153 people were killed in a series of coordinated terror attacks in Paris on Friday while residents and tourists were watching a soccer match between France and Germany.
Terrorists armed with AK47s and some reportedly strapped with bombs, attacked six locations in Paris. A shooting occurred at the Bataclan concert hall. People at the State de France heard explosions, and attacks also happened in the 10th and 11th districts of the Paris.
Terrorists shooting people like birds
Seven out of the eight suicide bombers blew themselves up. Five suspected terrorists have been “neutralized,” according to CNN.
Julien Pearce, a journalist who was at the Bataclan concert hall said, said the shooting lasted about 10 minutes to 15 minutes. He described the area as a “bloodbath.”
According to Pearce, people were yelling and screaming and the shooting lasted around 10 minutes. He said, “Ten horrific minutes where everybody was on the floor covering their head.”
Pearce said he saw two terrorists entered the concert hall, and described them to be very calm and determined while shooting randomly. He said, “They were not moving. They were just standing at the back of the concert room and shooting at us like if we were birds.”
According to him, the terrorists wore black clothing and didn’t wear masks. He described one of the shooters as very young, about 25 years old. “He was like a random guy holding Kalashnikov. That’s all,” said Pearce.
Pres. Hollande declared state of emergency
French President Francois Hollande called the incidents in Paris as “unprecedented terrorist attacks.” According to him, “terrorists capable of carrying out such atrocities must know that they will face a France that is determined and united.”
In a message posted on Twitter, Pres. Hollande said, “Faced with terror, this is a nation that knows how to defend itself, how to mobilize its forces and once again, knows how to overcome the terrorists.”
During an address to the people of France, Pres. Hollande declared a state of emergency.
“We have to show compassion and solidarity and we also have to show unity and keep our cool. France must be strong and great.”
