France has declared a state of emergency after the Paris attacks on Nov. 13. President Francois Hollande called the attack an “act of war” planned and executed by the Islamic State.

Suicide bomb attacks and shootings have terrorised the City of Light, forcing it into the darkness. The Syrian passport recovery from one of the dead suicide bombers has posed a big question on whether allowing refugees from Syria and Iraq on humanitarian grounds was the right decision. The Paris attacks have not only claimed the lives of the people, but also questioned the sustenance of humanity.

What happened in Paris?

Three coordinated teams of terrorists are said to be behind the attack on six locations in Paris on Friday night. Paris prosecutor Francois Molins confirmed the death of 129 people with around 352 people injured, 99 of whom were in critical condition.

Where were the attacks?

First , the Bataclan concert hall was attacked, leaving 89 people reportedly killed. Three assailants arrived in a car with rifles in hand. They entered the venue, took the audience hostage and talked about Syria and Iraq during a brief address on stage. Two of the attackers detonated suicide belts and killed themselves when the police stormed the theatre, while one was killed in gunfire by police. Blues rock band Eagles of Death Metal from Palm Desert, U.S. had been performing when the incident took place.

Second, Stade de France was the next place attacked in Paris. Four people were killed outside the stadium. A soccer match between France and Germany had been taking place at that moment. Three suicide bombers along with one man had been seen passing by. The French president was at the stadium at the time when the attackers targeted the stadium.

Third, restaurants, cafes and bars were attacked. Gunmen fired at the people on the intersection of rue Alibert and rue Bichat in the 10 th district, killing around 15 people. Some of the people gathered at le Petit Cambodge restaurant, while some assembled at the Le Carillon bar at rue Bichat prior to the attack.

Fourth, seven minutes after the previous attack, shooting broke out outside Cafe Bonne Biere of rue de la Fontaine au Rio and rue Faubourg du Temple in the 11 th district, killing five people.

Fifth, gunmen also attacked the 11 th district’s La Belle Equipe restaurant on rue de Charonne, just after four minutes of the previous attack, killing 19 people.

Sixth, the attack was again after four minutes of the previous shooting at the cafe Comptoire Voltaire when a suicide bomber blew himself up. The incident killed the attacker, while others were safe, including one severely injured.

Who were the attackers?

One of the terrorists has been officially named as Omar Ismaël Mostefaï, 29, who was among the gunmen at the Bataclan theatre.

Among the group of terrorists were three brothers from Belgium. Ibrahim Salah Abdeslam blew himself up outside the Comptoir Voltaire restaurant. The others were been named as siblings Mohammed Salah Abdeslam and Abdeslam Salah Abdeslam. The former is still being interrogated by the police, while the latter is on the run.

During the raids in Belgium on Saturday, seven more people suspected to be involved in the Paris attacks have been detained by the officials.

One of the suicide bombers who died had a Syrian refugee passport with the name Ahmed al-Mohammad. However, the police are still investigating whether the passport belonged to the dead terrorist or if it was stolen from someone else. The media named another terrorist as Mohammed al-Mohammed, who reportedly reached Europe on a ferry with Ahmed al-Mohammed.

The name of Bilal Hadfi has been spread in media as one of the attackers of the sports stadium Stade de France. He had reportedly fought with the ISIL in Syria and had been living in Belgium before attacking Paris.

Support for the victims

People have been spreading the terms and hashtags Pray for Paris and Peace for Paris on social media so people around the globe can show their support and condolence to the Paris attack victims. Popular buildings, including the Wembley Stadium in London, Empire State Building in New York and Rio de Janeiro’s “Cristo Redentor” statue, lit up with the colours red, white and blue, France’s flag, to show the world stands united for Paris.

Facebook has also launched a new feature in which people in Paris can mark them safe to let their near ones know they are safe.

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