K12 International Academy students traveling to or who are currently in Paris, France should be made aware that “French president Francois Hollande took the extreme step of closing France’s borders in the aftermath of coordinated attacks in Paris that left more than 100 dead, before announcing later that checkpoints would receive heightened security while still remaining open,” according to reporters from the website Quartz.com.
The U.S. State Department on its website has warned American citizens to “shelter in place” and expect heightened security measures throughout the city. For those needing assistance, the State Department has set up the following emergency contact hotlines:
CNN is reporting that “at least 153 people have been killed” and many more wounded at six different locations in the northern part of Paris, France. Six well populated sites were targeted overnight by unnamed gunman suspected of being associated with terrorists sympathetic to the Islamic State cause. Gunmen targeted a rock concert, restaurants, and even a stadium where French President Francois Hollande was enjoying a match between France and Germany.
French police, experiencing a war climate not dissimilar to what happened after World War 2 (Fox News), have now been given liberty to search property and seize evidence as they see fit. 1500 French soldiers have been called in to patrol Paris’ streets.
Less than 10 months has passed since the horrific murder of many members of the Charlie Hebdo French editorial board. The U.S. Justice Department has confirmed it had no intelligence—specific or otherwise—that Paris would be attacked. Hollande is promising retaliation for the multiple attacks and is quoted as saying he is ready to lead a ‘war without pity.’ It is unclear at this time what that statement means as Parisians wake to what could be a reality similar to what American experienced after September 11, 2001. Worldwide, cities are reported to be tightening their security protocols at events—such as stadium sporting events—to prevent any further attacks.
U.S. Dept. of State Website: http://france.usembassy.gov/
Cutler, Grace. "Flights, Trains to France Continue despite Closed Borders following Paris Attack." Fox News. Fox, 13 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2015/11/13/flights-to-paris-continue-despite-closed-borders/>.
Almasy, Steve. "Paris Attacks: At Least 153 Killed in Gunfire and Blasts, French Officials Say." Www.cnn.com. CNN Corp., 13 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/13/world/paris-shooting/>.
"France Declares a State of Emergency, Tightens Its Borders, and Sends 1,500 Troops to Paris." Quartz. Qz.com, 13 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://qz.com/549831/paris-attacks-hollande-closes-frances-borders-amid-ongoing-terrorist-attack/>.
Kearney, Laila. "New York, Other U.S. Cities Beef up Security after Paris Attacks." New York, Other U.S. Cities Beef up Security after Paris Attacks. MSN.com, 13 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. <http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/breakingnews/new-york-other-us-cities-beef-up-security-after-paris-attacks/ar-BBmZgKV?li=AAa0dzB&ocid=SK2ADHP>.
Image credit:
http://www.ibtimes.com/paris-attack-map-location-bataclan-hostages-stade-de-france-explosions-charlie-hebdo-2184215
