The world stands with Paris as it suffers the ‘worst attack since World War II’
Tributes from across the world have poured out on social media following several simultaneous terrorist attacks in Paris that left over 150 people dead.
According to officials, the attacks mark the worst case of violence in the country since World War II.
The assailants reportedly hit six different locations in Paris, targetting popular tourist areas, including a stadium hosting a football match between France and Germany.
The deadliest of the attacks took place at the Bataclan Concert Hall, where gunmen wielding AK-47s reportedly stormed into the hall and opened fire on hundreds of screaming concert-goers.
Other attacks happened at Rue de Charonne, a popular street in the city known for its many street restaurants and art galleries; restaurants on Rue Bichat; a pizzeria in Rue de la Fontaine au Roi; and a bomb went off at Boulevard Voltaire.
The attacks left a confirmed 153 people dead, with the death toll expected to rise.
A brief video appeared online showing the moment during the football match when the bomb went off at the French stadium.
French President François Hollande has closed the country’s borders and declared a state of emergency across France. The duration of the state of emergency remains unknown.
French media are reporting that eight of the attackers were killed, while an unknown number of assailants are still on the loose.
Following the attacks Facebook has set up a safety check page to help people establish whether friends and family in Paris are safe.
Locally, the Department of International Relations and Co-Operation (Dirco) was also working to establish the safety of South Africans currently in France.
Dirco’s emergency line (+27)351 1000, based in Pretoria, is also available for concerned friends and family to check on loved ones.
Tributes
News of the attacks sent shockwaves across the world, as millions of people poured out their support for France during this time.
Many countries lit monuments and landmarks in blue, white and red to show solidarity with the nation.
San Francisco City Hall
Toronto, Canada
On Twitter the hashtag #PrayForParis dominated global trends, as well as #JeSuisParis, which hailed back to the 7 January 2015 massacre that hit satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo earlier this year.
World leaders also added their voices by sending their condolences to Paris, including US president Barack Obama. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani strongly condemned the attacks.
At the time of writing, the South African presidency had not yet issued a statement on the attacks.
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