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What We Know About the Paris Attacks
by Charlotte Alter and Rishi Iyengar
Updated: Dec 13, 2023 10:40 PM CUT
Published: Nov 14, 2015 3:16 AM CUT
People warm up under protective thermal blankets as they gather on a street near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal attacks in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015.
People warm up under protective thermal blankets as they gather on a street near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal attacks in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015.Philippe Wojazer—Reuters
by Charlotte Alter and Rishi Iyengar
Updated: Dec 13, 2023 10:40 PM CUT
Published: Nov 14, 2015 3:16 AM CUT
Terror returned to Paris for the second time in a year Friday night when at least 127 people died in a series of brutal terrorist attacks at various locations around the city. The militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attacks early Saturday, praising them as “miracles.” French President François Hollande also blamed ISIS, calling the attacks “an act of war” and vowing to retaliate against the group.
Here’s what we know so far.
How did this start?
At about 9:45 p.m. local time, reports surfaced of a shooting in a popular area packed with bars and restaurants. Shortly afterwards, explosions were reported outside a stadium where French President François Hollande was watching a soccer game between France and Germany. Meanwhile, shots were reported in the Bataclan concert venue where an American band was playing, and soon it was revealed that multiple attackers had taken hostages inside.
How many attacks were there?
There appear to have been attacks at six sites around the city, but three major attacks have emerged as the most deadly:
- At least 100 hostages were taken in the Bataclan concert venue, during a performance by the American band, Eagles of Death Metal (the band was reported to be safe, although it was not clear whether all the crew managed to escape.)
- At least 11 people died in shootings in two restaurants, Le Petit Cambodge and Le Carillon, which are right across the street from each other (it is not immediately clear which victims were in which establishments.)
- Three explosions were reported at a bar outside the Stade de France to the north of the city, where thousands were gathered to watch France play Germany, and at least two are reported to be suicide bombings.
Shots were also fired outside La Belle Equipe bar, in the 11th arrondissement. There was another shooting at La Casa Nostra pizzeria, just south of the two restaurants.
What are the casualties?
By early Saturday local time authorities put the death toll at 127, of which about 100 were killed during the hostage situation inside the Bataclan theater. About 200 others were injured in the attacks, authorities said, including 80 in serious condition.
A total of eight attackers were confirmed dead, seven of them through suicide bombings, Paris prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre told the Associated Press early Saturday. However, authorities are reportedly still searching for accomplices that may be at large.
Witness Paris Mourn the Day After Deadly Attacks
The Eiffel Tower turns off its lights in memory of the more than 120 victims the day after the terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris. Marc Piasecki—Getty Images
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Bono and band members from the band U2 place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday's Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris. Jeff J Mitchell—Getty Images
A woman is comforted by others outside the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015. Jerome Delay—AP
A man places a candle in front of the Carillon cafe in Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015. Jerome Delay—AP
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The interior of the Casa Nostra Cafe, the day after the attacks on the city, on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris. Christopher Furlong—Getty Images
Burnt motorbikes and bicycles on the corner of Albert Thomas Lancry streets, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015, the morning after the attacks across the city. Maxime Jouy—Newzulu/Alamy Live News
Police forensic experts work on the scene at the Cafe Comptoir Voltaire in Paris, Nov, 14, 2015. Marius Becker—EPA
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Police are seen near the Cafe La Belle Equipe at the Rue de Charonne in Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015. Lic Venance—AFP/Getty Images
A pair of abandoned shoes seen left in the street near the Bataclan concert hall the morning after a series of deadly attacks in Paris, Nov. 14, 2015. Charles Platiau—Reuters
Flowers and candles are placed in tribute outside Le Carillon bar, in Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015. Antoine Antoniol—Getty Images
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How has France reacted?
Hollande blamed ISIS for what he termed an “act of war,” by the militant group. He said the attacks were “organized and planned from outside,” and declared three days of national mourning.
“It is an act of war prepared and planned outside, with complicity from within the country,” he said. “It is an act of absolute barbarism. France will be ruthless in its response.”
The French President had earlier declared a state of emergency and announced he would reinstate “systematic border checks” on all modes of transport in and out of the country. In a televised address, he urged citizens to remain calm, even as Paris went on lockdown. “France needs to be strong and the state needs to be strong,” he said. “What the terrorists want is for us to be scared. There are things to be scared about. But in the face of terror we have to be united and we will defeat these terrorists.” Later, he went to visit the Bataclan theater, where at least 100 people were killed, and thanked the first responders, while promising vengeance on whoever orchestrated the attacks. “We will lead the fight,” he said. “It will be merciless. When terrorists are capable of such atrocities, they must be certain that they will face a France united and determined.”
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Paris was on lockdown early Saturday, which means that public facilities like schools, museums, libraries, gyms and markets will be closed on Saturday. Flights and trains, however, are running as scheduled and there has been no major change at any of the French border points.
Has anyone taken credit?
ISIS claimed responsibility early Saturday, saying the attack was just “the first of the storm” and condemning France as a “capital of prostitution and obscenity.”
How did the world react?
World leaders quickly expressed solidarity with France in the aftermath of the attacks. President Obama declared the day “an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share,” promising the U.S. would stand by France in its response. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a phone call to Hollande, also vowed to assist in the combating of terrorism. British Prime Minister David Cameron echoed Obama, saying the U.K. would do “whatever we can to help” while German Chancellor Angela Merkel pronounced herself “deeply shocked” by the attacks. Russia said the attacks were “monstrous,” while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed their solidarity on Twitter.
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, scheduled to be in France this weekend after visiting Italy, canceled his European trip for the time being and denounced the attacks as “crimes against humanity.”
Photos: Fatal Shootings, Explosions Rock Paris
The crowd rushes on Quay de Valmy following terrorist attacks in central Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015. Jerome Sessini—Magnum for TIME
French fire brigade members carry an injured individual near the concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015. Christian Hartmann—Reuters
A member of the French fire brigade aids an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Christian Hartmann—Reuters
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Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Saint Denis, outside of Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Ian Langsdon—EPA
Rescue workers attend to victims of the attacks in the 10th district of Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Jacques Brinon—AP
Police are seen outside a restaurant in 10th arrondissement of the French capital Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Kenzo Tribouillard—AFP/Getty Images
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A suspect is apprehended near Place Republique on Nov. 13, 2015, in Paris. John Van Hasselt—Corbis
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve (left) and French President Francois Hollande during an emergency meeting in the security control room at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015. Christelle Alix—AFP/Getty Images
A police officer directs people outside the Stade de France stadium during the international friendly soccer France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside of Paris, Nov. 13, 2015. Michel Euler—AP
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Crowds wait on the pitch during a soccer match at Stade de France on Nov. 13, 2015 in Paris, after the game was halted following an explosion. Xavier Laine—Getty Images
Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany in Saint Denis, outside Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Michel Euler—AP