Off the wire
• Ireland expresses shocks at Paris attacks  • Uruguay's Cavani and Chile's Jara to face each other in World Cup Qualifiers  • International soccer friendly results  • Havana marathon attracts new record number of runners  • Euro 2016 play-off first leg results  • 1st LD Writethru: Whole world is outraged by terrorist attack in Paris: PGA  • IAAF suspend Russia from all international athletics  • FLASH: MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE DIE IN PARIS THEATRE BATACLAN: TV  • Merkel shocked by Paris attacks, declares solidarity with France  • Mercedes force to be reckoned with in Brazilian F1 practice  
You are here: 　 Home

Spotlight: Paris attacks kill over 100, drawing strong condemnations

Xinhua, November 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

The international community has strongly condemned the Paris attacks on Friday that has reportedly killed over 100 people.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned "the despicable terrorist attacks carried out today in various locations in and around Paris," and demanded "the immediate release of the numerous individuals reportedly being held hostage in the Bataclan theater," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

"The secretary-general trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly," said the statement.

"The secretary-general extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," the statement said. "He stands with the government and people of France."

For his part, President of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (PGA) Mogens Lykketoft on Friday said that "the whole world is outraged by the attacks in Paris" and "terrorism and murder of this kind is an outrage to humanity."

Some 100 people are reportedly killed and many more wounded in a series of what appear to be coordinated attacks across Paris late Friday.

A hostage situation is continuing at a concert hall in the French capital, reports said, adding that police believe terrorists are holding 100 hostages inside the venue.

According to Chinese Embassy in Paris, there have been no reports of casualties of Chinese nationals so far.

French President Francois Hollande, evacuated from Stade de France, is in the Interior Ministry for an emergency meeting with Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

Hollande announced late Friday night that emergency state across France is declared and France will close its borders. He also said that "unprecedented terrorist attacks are ongoing in Paris."

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday said he was "deeply shocked" by the deadly attacks in Paris, offering "thoughts and prayers" to the French people.

"I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help," Cameron said via his Twitter account.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday evening that she was deeply shocked by the attacks in Paris and declared solidarity with France.

"I was deeply shocked by the news and images that we have got from Paris. My thoughts are in these hours with the victims of the attacks, their families, and all people in Paris," said Merkel in a statement.

Merkel added that the German government stands in contact with the French government and has sent her sympathy and solidarity of the people in Germany.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday condemned the deadly attacks currently still unfolding in Paris and said it was too early to determine who was behind those attacks.

Calling the attacks in and around Paris on Friday evening "an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians," Obama said the United States stood ready to provide assistance for the French government.@ He also said U.S. officials were "in contact with French counterparts to communicate condolences to families of the victims." Endi