A radio reporter in Paris has told of scenes of bloodshed he witnessed at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris on a night of attacks that has left at least 128 dead.
Julien Pearce described the moment gunmen opened fire during an Eagles of Death Metal gig. “I’ve seen 2 terrorists from my point of view with AK47s entering the concert room and firing randomly to the crowd,” Pearce said.
“Everybody was on the floor covering their heads and we heard so many gunshots and the terrorists were very calm, very determined and they reloaded three or four times their weapons and they didn’t shout anything, they didn’t say anything, they were wearing masks and they were wearing black clothes and they were shooting at people on the floor.”
President François Hollande appeared on television shortly after the attacks, declaring a state of emergency and announcing his decision to shut French borders. “We have to be compassionate and we have to be united and keep a cool head. France needs to be strong and the state needs to be strong,” he said. “What the terrorists want is for us to be scared. There are things to be scared about. But in the face of terror we have to be united and we will defeat these terrorists.”
Photos: Fatal Shootings, Explosions Rock Paris
The crowd rushes on Quay de Valmy following terrorist attacks in central Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015.Jerome Sessini—Magnum for TIMEFrench fire brigade members carry an injured individual near the concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015.Christian Hartmann—ReutersA member of the French fire brigade aids an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Christian Hartmann—ReutersWounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Saint Denis, outside of Paris on Nov. 13, 2015.Ian Langsdon—EPARescue workers attend to victims of the attacks in the 10th district of Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Jacques Brinon—APPolice are seen outside a restaurant in 10th arrondissement of the French capital Paris on Nov. 13, 2015. Kenzo Tribouillard—AFP/Getty ImagesA suspect is apprehended near Place Republique on Nov. 13, 2015, in Paris. John Van Hasselt—CorbisFrench Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve (left) and French President Francois Hollande during an emergency meeting in the security control room at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris, on Nov. 13, 2015. Christelle Alix—AFP/Getty ImagesA police officer directs people outside the Stade de France stadium during the international friendly soccer France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside of Paris, Nov. 13, 2015.Michel Euler—APCrowds wait on the pitch during a soccer match at Stade de France on Nov. 13, 2015 in Paris, after the game was halted following an explosion.Xavier Laine—Getty ImagesSpectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany in Saint Denis, outside Paris on Nov. 13, 2015.Michel Euler—AP
