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Mosques Attacked in France Following Charlie Hebdo Attack

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French police forensic scour the scene of an explosion at a kebab shop damaged following an explosion near a mosque, on Jan. 8, 2015, in Villefranche-sur-Saone, eastern France.
French police forensic scour the scene of an explosion at a kebab shop damaged following an explosion near a mosque, on Jan. 8, 2015, in Villefranche-sur-Saone, eastern France.Jean-Philippe Ksiazek—AFP/Getty Images
By Naina Bajekal

Several French mosques were attacked following the killing of 12 people at the office of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, according to reports.

Around 8pm local time on Wednesday, shots were fired in the direction of a Muslim prayer hall in Port-la-Nouvelle in southern France. Meanwhile Ouest-France reports that several percussion grenades were thrown into the courtyard of a mosque in Le Mans, west of Paris.

Local media also reported an explosion near a mosque in the town of Villefranche-sur-Saône in eastern France. The blast took place at 6am local time on Thursday at L’Imperial, a restaurant independently managed by people close to the mosque, where people attending the mosque often gather. There were no casualties reported. Le Progres quotes the town’s deputy mayor, Bernard Perrut, as saying he feared it was linked to Wednesday’s Charlie Hebdo attack.

Parisians Hold Vigil for Dead in Charlie Hebdo Attack

People hold a candle light vigil as thousands gather silently on 'Place de la Republique' in central Paris hours after the attack by masked gunmen on the 'Charlie Hebdo' headquarters in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015.
People hold a candle-light vigil as thousands gather silently on Place de la Republique in central Paris hours after the attack by masked gunmen on the Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris on Jan. 7, 2015 Ian Langsdon—EPA
A man holds a placard with a Charlie Hebdo's front page reading "Love stronger than hate" during a gathering at the Place de la Republique in Paris, on Jan. 7, 2015.
A man holds a placard with a Charlie Hebdo front page reading "Love is stronger than hate" during a gathering at the Place de la Republique in Paris, on Jan. 7, 2015.Dominique Faget—AFP/Getty Images
People gather to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015.
People gather to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris on Jan. 7, 2015. Thibault Camus—AP
People hold placards reading in French "I am Charlie" and "We are all Charlie" during a gathering at the Place de la Republique in Paris, on Jan. 7, 2015.
People hold placards reading in French "I am Charlie" and "We are all Charlie" during a gathering at the Place de la Republique in Paris, on Jan. 7, 2015.Joel Saget—AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds a candle during a gathering to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015.
A woman holds a candle during a gathering to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015. Thibault Camus—AP
A banner reading "I am Charlie" is displayed with candles during a gathering to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015.
A banner reading "I am Charlie" is displayed with candles during a gathering to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, Jan. 7, 2015. Thibault Camus—AP

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Write to Naina Bajekal at naina.bajekal@time.com