PARIS — A series of attacks targeting young concert-goers, soccer fans and Parisians enjoying a Friday night out at popular nightspots killed at least 120 people in the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II. President Francois Hollande condemned it as terrorism and pledged that France would stand firm against its foes.
The worst carnage was at a concert hall hosting an American rock band, where scores of people were held hostage and attackers ended the standoff by detonating explosive belts. Police who stormed the building encountered a bloody scene of horror inside.
When the attacks were over, eight attackers were dead — seven of them in suicide explosions, one killed by security forces in the music venue, Paris prosecutor’s spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre told The Associated Press.
READ: Paris prosecutor says 8 attackers dead | At least 120 dead in Paris attacks—investigation source
The photos below show some of the scenes at the sites of the Paris attacks.
Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 in Saint Denis, outside Paris. At least 35 people were killed in shootings and explosions around Paris, many of them in a popular theater where patrons were taken hostage, police and medical officials said Friday. Two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium. AP
French President Francois Hollande arrives to visit the site of the the Bataclan theater after a shooting in Paris, Friday Nov. 13, 2015. French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country’s borders. Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins says the death toll in attacks at six sites around the French capital could exceed 120. AP
Spectators embrace each other as they stand on the playing field of the Stade de France stadium at the end of a friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. AP
READ: A look at the attacks across Paris
Investigating police officers work outside the Stade de France stadium after an explosion and after international friendly soccer match France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Friday Nov. 13, 2015. AP
Investigating police officers work outside the Stade de France stadium after an international friendly soccer match France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Friday Nov. 13, 2015. AP
Investigating police officers inspect the lifeless body of a victim of a shooting attack outside the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Well over 100 people were killed in Paris on Friday night in a series of shooting, explosions. AP
Victims walk away outside the Bataclan theater in Paris, Friday Nov. 13, 2015. Well over 100 people were killed in a series of shooting and explosions. AP
Victims of a shooting attack lay on the pavement outside La Belle Equipe restaurant in Paris Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Well over 100 people were killed in Paris on Friday night in a series of shooting, explosions. Anne Sophie Chaisemartin via AP
US President Barack Obama, speaking to reporters in Washington, decried an “attack on all humanity,” calling the Paris violence an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians” and vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks about attacks in Paris from the briefing room of the White House, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Washington. Obama is calling the attacks on Paris an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians” and vows to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice. AP
Heavily armed New York City police officers stand guard across the street from the French consulate on New York’s Fifth Ave., Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Police in New York say they’ve deployed extra units to crowded areas of the city “out of an abundance of caution” in the wake of the attacks in Paris, France. A New York Police Department statement released Friday stressed police have “no indication that the attack has any nexus to New York City.” AP
All over the world, people expressed grief and condemned the attacks, honoring the victims by holding vigils and expressing support through social media.
The One World Trade Center spire is lit blue, white and red after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the lighting in honor of dozens killed in the Paris attacks Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in New York. French officials say several dozen people have been killed in shootings and explosions at a theater, restaurant and elsewhere in Paris. AP
In this image made available by the Las Vegas News Bureau, UNLV fans observe a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 before UNLV’s basketball game against Cal Poly at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. AP
People attend a vigil outside the French consulate in Montreal, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered “all of Canada’s support” to France on Friday night in the wake of “deeply worrying” terrorist attacks in Paris. AP
The Calgary Tower was lit up with the colors of the French flag to show support and sympathy regarding the Paris attacks in Calgary, Alberta on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. AP
READ: PH joins world in condemning Paris attacks | Aquino: We stand with France now
Former NBA star Yao Ming, third from right bows as he observes a moment of silence with other attendees to mark the terror attacks in Paris before a college basketball match between Washington Huskies and Texas Longhorns at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. AP