Sting opens concert at Paris' Bataclan to mark anniversary of terrorist attacks

British rock star Sting performed at a concert at the refurbished Bataclan music hall here on Saturday night to mark the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Paris which killed 130 people and wounding hundreds of others.

Sting started his concert with a minute of silence in condolence of the victims. "We will never forget them," he told the crowd in French.

"Tonight we have two tasks to achieve," he said. "First to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place."

He then started to sing his popular hits, such as "Fragile," "Message in a Bottle" and "Every Breath you Take."

Among the 1,500 concert-goers, about 250 were survivors and victims' families.

On Nov. 13, 2015, three Islamist State militants sprayed automatic gunfire into the crowd at the Bataclan concert stadium, killing 90 people in the deadliest terrorist attack in France's history.

In coordinated attacks on that day, other terrorists struck a sports stadium, restaurants and cafes in Paris, causing another 40 deaths.

France will formally commemorate the victims of the attacks on Sunday, when President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveil plaques outside the Bataclan and other targeted sites. Endi