Last night, in an unexpected turn of events, four masked gunmen stormed a large theater in the heart of Paris during a musical performance. The gunmen began shooting everyone in their path and took the remaining people hostage. What was surprising is that the gunmen made no demands during the hostage situation, adding to the mystery of the event.
Security Intervention and Theater Events
The French police surrounded the theater for three hours, with no progress in negotiations or changes in the situation. Finally, the police decided to storm the theater in an attempt to rescue the hostages. However, as soon as they entered, the gunmen opened fire on everyone inside, killing more than 100 people. According to reports, no one survived the attack. The last gunman was wearing a suicide vest, and when the police tried to apprehend him, the vest exploded after being hit by a bullet from an officer, killing him and those around him. This account, reported by French media, has raised questions about its accuracy.
Simultaneous Attacks Across Paris
At the same time as the theater attack, the French president attended a match at the Stade de France. Near the stadium, several explosions occurred, carried out by three other gunmen who were believed to be targeting the president. Still, their attempt failed, and all of them, along with a police officer, were killed.
More Deadly Attacks
On Rue de Charonne, other gunmen stormed a café and a Japanese restaurant, shooting civilians and killing 18 people. On Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, masked attackers fired at a group of pedestrians, killing 14 people. One witness mentioned that some victims were in such shock that they didn’t realize they were under attack until they were hit by bullets.
On Boulevard Voltaire, a terrorist opened fire on people, killing one person and injuring others before being killed or exploding himself. On Rue de la Fontaine, a black Ford drove by a pizza restaurant, and the gunmen inside opened fire on the customers, killing five of them.
Casualty Count and Reactions
So far, more than 150 people have been killed, and the number is still rising due to the severe injuries suffered by the victims. The attacks were carried out with precision and skill, adding to the shock felt by both the French and the global community.
State of Emergency in France
France immediately declared a state of emergency after the attacks and imposed a curfew, the likes of which had not been seen in 50 years. All borders were closed, and the army was deployed in Paris to enhance security.
ISIS Claims Responsibility
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks in an official statement, saying, "This is revenge for Syria. This is France’s 9/11." These attacks in Paris opened a new chapter of violence and terrorism, similar to the events of September 11, 2001, in the United States, but this time in the heart of Europe.
Global Impact of the Paris Attacks
The attacks in Paris are a global issue, especially since France is the world’s top tourist destination, with 83 million visitors annually. It also has Europe's second most powerful military and is a central hub for European countries. These events highlight the significant security challenges Europe is currently facing.