At least 150 people are feared to be dead as unidentified gunmen held scores of people as hostage along with suicide attacks in busy streets of Paris on Friday. These attacks are the first in France after the ‘Charlie Hebdo’ killings by the Kouachi brothers in the streets of Paris earlier in January.
The police confirmed that all the attackers were dead as a result of police action or suicide attacks.
The attacks are thought to be a reaction to Friday’s successful attacks on ISIS strongholds in the Syrian city of Raqqa by an International coalition of which France was a member of.
The attackers chose three crowded parts of the city which included Stade de France, the stadium which hosted a match between France and Germany, Bataclan concert venue and the 11th district of Paris famous for its night life.
President Francois, while declaring an emergency, said, “We will fight the attackers without mercy.”
However, it was heart-warming to see many users on social media like Twitter and Facebook step forward to express their solidarity and offer help to the ones in need.
First, French illustrator and designer put up a design which went viral as people extended support.
Peace for Paris pic.twitter.com/ryf6XB2d80
— jean jullien (@jean_jullien) November 13, 2015Later, many videos surfaced on YouTube claiming that the footballs fan gathered in the stadium sang the French national anthem in unison while evacuating the stadium.
It was also heartening to see users use the hashtag #PorteOuvre which translates to opendoor as Parisians offered stranded citizens and foreigners shelter for the night.
#PorteOuverte I live by Gate du Nord in the 10eme on rue de Dunkerque. Please call if you need shelter or wine: +33781784949
— Lloyd (@lloyd_ay) November 13, 2015English speaking #PorteOuverte in Paris 15th district.
— Clotilde P (@EnPointilles) November 13, 2015Hey tourists in #Paris if you need help or some place to sleep around Jussieu 5th arrondissement, my door is open. #PorteOuverte #OpenDoor
— Thomas Nigro (@ThomasNigro) November 13, 2015NY lights @OneWTC in blue, white & red as we stand in solidarity with the people of France: https://t.co/Clk1ZKBIqN pic.twitter.com/zHkT1FGmpr
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 14, 2015when a country is down, the oda country support. @London. @America.@Brazil... #PrayForParis pic.twitter.com/nLtXOp7Kb8
— tosin alabi (@Alabieyotosin) November 14, 2015Glad to see the world shining the French colors as Paris remains dark to honor those that've been lost #PrayForParis pic.twitter.com/NUk7yrMRzQ
— The Bucket List (@TheBucktList) November 14, 2015This video was uploaded by an Instagram user in which one can hear gunshots.