France to commemorate fifth anniversary of terrorist attacks

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Today, Friday 13 November 2020, marks five years since France was hit by its deadliest spell of terrorist attacks since World War II.

Throughout the evening of 13 November 2015, which also fell on a Friday, three Islamic terrorists blew themselves up with suicide vests outside the national football stadium in Saint-Denis during a game, killing a passerby. Meanwhile, another three drove through the 10th and 11th arrondissements of Paris, killing 39 people in shootings outside restaurants, before one of them blew himself up in a bar. The other two died when one of them activated an explosive belt in an apartment building five days later, during a police raid.

The deadliest of the attacks was committed by another trio of terrorists massacred at Bataclan café and theatre in the 11th arrondissement, where rock band Eagles of Death Metal were performing in front of an audience of 1,500. 90 people were killed, including a man who was at home and was hit by a stray bullet that went through a window he had left open. One of the gunmen was shot by police and the other two blew themselves up. Twelve hostages were rescued from the theatre. One survivor committed suicide after suffering severe post-traumatic stress for two years.

The prime minister, mayors of Paris and Saint-Denis, minister of the Interior and minister of Justice will pay tribute to the victims at the locations of the attacks.

The 131 victims: