Paris Shootings and Explosions

[peg]

So can someone explain to me how long the attacks took? I heard about 18 people dying earlier today, didn't really get a chance to look into it but now they are saying over 150 are dead?

I don't know how long it was, but basically there were multiple attacks in different parts of the city that happened at the same time. One of them was a concert hall, and many people were trapped in there for some time - it was thought they were hostages. After the police killed the gunmen and went inside, they discovered about 100 people had been killed there. That's why the number jumped so much all of a sudden. (Although the reports I've seen are closer to 120)

 

[Ophelia]

@FlattFan-yeah, and why do you think there's so much public backlash against stop and frisk policy?

Not sure if you're trolling or extremely ignorant at this point.

 

[Sandpiper]

Sending my prayers to the people of France, and everyone whose families and friends were affected by these attacks.

As for the event... I guess moving it to Sunday and holding it without a public audience is the best compromise... though I can see the merits of both sides.

 

[Watermelondrea]

I don't know how long it was, but basically there were multiple attacks in different parts of the city that happened at the same time. One of them was a concert hall, and many people were trapped in there for some time - it was thought they were hostages. After the police killed the gunmen and went inside, they discovered about 100 people had been killed there. That's why the number jumped so much all of a sudden. (Although the reports I've seen are closer to 120)

Got it, thank you. Cannot imagine what it must've been like to discover the horror. Heart goes on to every single person even remotely affected by this.

 

[ruffledgrouse]

I don't know how long it was, but basically there were multiple attacks in different parts of the city that happened at the same time. One of them was a concert hall, and many people were trapped in there for some time - it was thought they were hostages. After the police killed the gunmen and went inside, they discovered about 100 people had been killed there. That's why the number jumped so much all of a sudden. (Although the reports I've seen are closer to 120)

Apparently the death toll was so high in the concert venue because 1) the building capacity is 1500 and the concert was sold out and 2)the terrorists used grenades there as well as guns.

I keep hearing that a refugee camp may or may not be on fire, does anyone know?

 

[Violet Bliss]

Terrorism is a psychological war when some group is far from able to launch a real war. So they terrorize, very effectively and very cheaply. It is extremely cheap compared to a real war and incurs extremely low destruction compared to a real war. And real wars have been going on with much much worse consequences in lives lost, destruction and terror. Witness the refugee crisis. Much of it is results of actions abroad coming home to roost.

It is the over reaction to terrorism that causes much more terror and heavy costs. Often governments exploit terrorism as well because people are easy to manipulate and willing to give up their liberty when they are in fear. Government are usually too smart and power hungry to waste any perfectly good crisis.

I don't know how France, and the West in general, will deal with this latest act of terrorism, whether they will choose to stay calm and rational or they will help expand the terror. TEB should be safe to continue. Whether or not it will, however, is a matter of psychology.

 

[FlattFan]

@FlattFan-yeah, and why do you think there's so much public backlash against stop and frisk policy?

Not sure if you're trolling or extremely ignorant at this point.

And this is where you showed your ignorance. Yes, there is backlash against racial profiling in stop and frisk. There is no backlash against stop and frisk. If the cops stop someone who's running out of Macy's with a pair of Levi's, no one is crying about cop stopping and frisking. Anyway, this is it. I'm disengaging from this conversation.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Apparently the death toll was so high in the concert venue because 1) the building capacity is 1500 and the concert was sold out and 2)the terrorists used grenades there as well as guns.

I keep hearing that a refugee camp may or may not be on fire, does anyone know?

I read that the refuge camp, which is in the north of France, caught fire and had an explosion on November 2nd and the photos are recycled. False news from what I hear.

 

[Icey]

Someone posted above that the report that the refugee camps was on fire was not true. Much confusion reigns when something like this happens. As I surfed from tv channel to tv channel, the reported number of deaths was all over that place, sometimes on the same tv channel!!!!!

 

[peg]

I keep hearing that a refugee camp may or may not be on fire, does anyone know?

I saw those reports online but then someone said those pictures of the fire were not from today

 

[ruffledgrouse]

I read that the refuge camp, which is in the north of France, caught fire and had an explosion on November 2nd and the photos are recycled. False news from what I hear.

That's so good to hear. I was afraid it was some sort of backlash.

 

[MIM]

It is heartbreaking and devastating. The more I read, the more I get frustrated. Concert hall, soccer stadium, bar, restaurant... The attack is targeted to ordinary people in random locations in the city. I cannot feel any helpless in this heartbreaking situation. I am praying for Paris. May end this soon and no more tragic attacks.

I pray for all the skaters and teams in Bordeaux safe return home.

 

[OniBan]

if it helps, this is the play by play news from The Guardian (trustworthy, in my experience): http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/13/shootings-reported-in-eastern-paris-live
(hearsay, rumours and social media furore just make things worse in situations like this)

and for twitter feeds here's The Associated Press: https://twitter.com/AP
and Reuters: https://twitter.com/reuters

Prayers for Paris ;__; Literally woke up to the horrible news this morning.

 

[Princessroja]

if it helps, this is the play by play news from The Guardian (trustworthy, in my experience): http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/13/shootings-reported-in-eastern-paris-live
(hearsay, rumours and social media furore just make things worse in situations like this)

and for twitter feeds here's The Associated Press: https://twitter.com/AP
and Reuters: https://twitter.com/reuters

Prayers for Paris ;__; Literally woke up to the horrible news this morning.

Ditto recommendation for the guardian. I've really appreciated its reporting.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Kudos to GS for putting a French logo with a black ribbon in the header :agree:


http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/images/misc/french flag.jpg

 

[sabinfire]

Given that the competition is being held a few hours from Paris, and the situation seems to be under control there now, I'd imagine the competition will continue as planned. I hope that many skaters can give inspiring performances that will bring comfort and hope to the French people.

For anyone anywhere near the area, the news I've been monitoring is still saying that the situation is NOT resolved, and gunmen are still at large (reported by Reuters & CNN just moments ago.)

 

[Princessroja]

Really? The guardian is still reporting all known attackers as dead.

And sorry if someone responds and I don't see it. I'm just about to go to sleep.

 

[visaliakid]

Flights to and from France have been reinstated and closed borders have been opened but with many, many checkpoints being set up by French Security/Army forces.

Trophée Eric Bompard figure skating event could be affected by Paris attacks - Some are calling for the cancellation of the event. It's expected an announcement by the ISU will happen Saturday morning - Source, CBC.ca

 

[peg]

Really? The guardian is still reporting all known attackers as dead.

And sorry if someone responds and I don't see it. I'm just about to go to sleep.

CBC is also reporting all known attackers are dead, and they have been very careful not to jump the gun on facts.

 

[sabinfire]

Really? The guardian is still reporting all known attackers as dead.

And sorry if someone responds and I don't see it. I'm just about to go to sleep.

As of this moment:

CNN's headline story: "More than 150 killed in Paris attacks; some gunmen still at large." cnn.com

Reuters last reported 14 minutes ago that "It was unclear whether any gunmen were still on the loose."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/14/us-france-shooting-idUSKCN0T22IU20151114

I haven't done an exhaustive search, this is just what I could find immediately.