Paris: 128 confirmed dead in terror attacks

(Vatican Radio) France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after terrorists killed at least 128 people overnight, in what appears to be a coordinated series of gun and bomb attacks in Paris.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, though Jihadists immediately praised them on social media, and eyewitnesses reported hearing the attackers cry, “Allahu Akbar!” – Arabic for “God is Great!”

Paris residents have been asked to stay indoors and about 1500 military personnel are deployed throughout the city.

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Eighty people are confirmed dead after a single attack at the Bataclan concert hall, in which gunmen seized dozens of hostages. Security forces stormed the building and broke the siege at the concert hall. Five other sites in Paris were attacked as well.

French President Francois Hollande – who had to be evacuated from France’s national stadium, where he had been watching a soccer match between the French and German national teams, when bombs exploded outside, promised that the nation will stand firm and united. “A determined France, a united France, a France that joins together and a France that will not allow itself to be staggered even if today, there is infinite emotion faced with this disaster, this tragedy, which is an abomination, because it is barbarism,” Hollande said.

US President Barack Obama has offered condolences on the part of his country and expressed support for France.

Eight attackers are reported to have been killed. Police believe all of the attackers are dead, though they say it is was unclear whether any accomplices are still at large. 

The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, told Vatican Radio the Holy Father is has been informed, and is following events with profound emotion. In an earlier note to journalists responding to the news, Fr. Lombardi, SJ, called the attacks, “[A]n attack on the peace of all mankind, which calls for a resolute and unified response on all our parts, in order that we might thwart the spread of murderous hatred in all its forms.”