Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-11-14
World leaders responded with shock and pledges of support and solidarity for France following the killing of scores of people in attacks in Paris.
Hundreds of soldiers are fanning out across the capital in the wake of the coordinated terror attacks last night that claimed the lives of more than a 153 people prompting France to declare an emergency and shut its borders.
Authorities in Paris have confirmed eight attackers were killed, seven by detonating suicide jackets.
Scores of people are recovering in hospital this morning after blasts at a restaurant and a packed music hall as well as a double suicide bombing outside a football stadium where French President Francois Hollande and the German foreign minister were watching a friendly soccer international.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the rampage, but suspicion has fallen on ISIS.
The coordinated assault came as France a founder member of the US led coalition waging airstrikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq was on high alert for terrorist attacks ahead of a global climate conference due to open later this month.
There’s been worldwide condemnation of the attacks with international governments offering condolences and support to the people of France.
Facebook has launched a safety check page to help find out if family and friends are in Paris that may have been caught up in the attacks.
Meanwhile the South African government says it’s working closely with officials in Paris to establish whether any South Africans were among the injured or dead.
The International Relations department’s Nelson Kgwete says there is a 24 hour hotline that South Africans can call if they know family members are in Paris.
“Any worry that they may be having about the wellbeing of their relatives in Paris, that number is (012) 351-1000.”
Several countries including Russia and America are on high alert this morning.
Authorities in the US have bolstered security in its biggest city and at the site of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York.
Earlier this week ISIS released a video threatening to attack the Kremlin very soon in revenge for its aerial strike in Syria. – EWN
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