A series of attacks shook Paris Friday night, leaving the city in chaos and over 100 dead in the largest and deadliest terrorist assault ever on French soil.
Reports from the French capital said multiple attacks, which officials said appeared to be coordinated, took place at a theater, near a soccer stadium, inside a restaurant, and other locations. The Associated Press said French police confirmed two suicide bombings.
President Francois Hollande announced in a live broadcast to the French nation that he had declared a state of emergency and is closing the country’s borders so that no perpetrator of what he described as “unprecedented” terror attacks could escape.
He also ordered a curfew, the first in Paris since World War II, and the French military has been deployed around Paris.
President Obama spoke from the White House Friday, calling the attacks an assault on all of civilization.
“Once again, we see an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians,” he said from the White House. “This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”
Secretary of State John Kerry, in a seperate statement, said, “these are heinous, evil, vile attacks. Thouse of us who can must do everything in our power to fight back against what can only be considered an assault on our common humanity.”
Attackers took hostages at a concert hall where a U.S. band, Eagles of Death Metal, was performing. France 24 reported that a police raid had killed two gunman at the venue, but not until after they had unleashed what witnesses described as a bloody carnage in which attackers stormed inside with Kalashnikov automatic AK-47 rifles and opened fire. Some survivors later said they were able to escape while the attackers were reloading.
Over 100 were reported dead at the concert hall alone, with various news accounts placing the overall death toll at at least 120 and perhaps over 150. By comparison, the January Islamic terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hedbo newspaper and kosher supermarket killed 17, plus three perpetrators.
A combination of suicide bombers and shootings were reported outside the stadium, which interrupted a soccer match between the French and German national teams. Hollande was at the match and had to be evacuated, along with the rest of the crowd.
Police officers secure the Stade de France stadium during the international friendly soccer France against Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 in Saint Denis, outside Paris. (AP Photo)
Before the attacks, President Obama spoke with Hollande about the upcoming international climate talks in Paris, scheduled for Nov. 30-Dec. 1. They also discussed their upcoming meeting this weekend in Antalya, Turkey on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, though Holland subsequently cancelled his trip to the meeting in the wake of the attacks.
The White House said President Obama was being briefed on events Friday evening by Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism.
New York City was put on official alert, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Fox affiliate reported. But U.S. security officials reported there was no known credible threat to the U.S. at this time.
Nicole Duran contributed to this report.
This story was originally published at 5:20 p.m. EST and has been updated several times.
