Gun massacre in Paris: security raised to highest level
France has raised its security in Paris to its highest level following a fatal terrorist attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
The city has been placed on the highest terror alert and extra troops have been drafted in to guard media offices, places of worship, transport hubs and other areas believed to be at risk.
Two masked gunmen opened fire with assault rifles in the newspaper office yesterday, killing 12 people and injuring 11, some critically.
The gunmen allegedly shouted ‘we have avenged the Prophet Muhammad’, according to witnesses, said the BBC. They escaped by car and a major police operation is underway to catch them.
French President Francois Hollande said there was no doubt it had been a terrorist attack ‘of exceptional barbarity’.
The British Foreign Office warned visitors: "If you’re in Paris or the Ile de France area, take extra care and follow the security advice issued by the French authorities."
As the hunt for the gunmen continues, local television station BFMTV has reported that the two main suspects have been seen armed on a motorway in a car with masked plates in Aisne, northern France. The reports have not been confirmed.
Charlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine, most famous for mocking public figures. It was firebombed n 2011 after publishing a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad.
Today (Thursday) has been declared a day of mourning and a minute’s silence will be held across France at midday.
Thousands of people have already gathered at the Place de la Republique in central Paris for a vigil, many holding placards saying ‘Je suis Charlie’ and making piles of pens to symbolise freedom of expression.
Vigils have also taken place in other cities across France.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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