The British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that British people may have been caught up in the carnage in the French capital on Friday, November 13.
Speaking this morning and announcing that he called a meeting with COBRA – named after the cabinet briefing room A – he also warned to be prepared for British casualties. He said that the terrorist alert in the UK was now severe.
“We must be prepared for British casualties,” he said solemnly speaking of the events in Paris.
Speaking on BBC, Cameron reminded people that this was the worst attack on the French people since the Second World War, the worst terrorist attack in a decade (the Madrid train bombing in 2004).
He also said that the British were “ shocked but resolute,” and vowed to the French people : “we stand with you united.”
Speaking of the freedoms and openness of our democratic societies he said of the victims: “They were simply going about their way of life, our way of life.”
Across the pond US President Barack Obama was also making solidarity statements to stand with the people of France in such a dark hour. The Empire State building was draped in red, blue and white light signifying unity with the French.
In France French President Hollande, looking shocked and angry promised retribution and vowed that no stone would left unturned.
In these early stages of the enquiry news was filtering through that investigators had found a Syrian passport close to where one of the terrorists blew themselves up near the Stade De France.
A phone number has been given out for people who have fears about relatives they know to have been in Paris on Friday, 13. Anyone concerned about their relatives can call 0207 008 0000.
After Charlie Hebdo and other, recent attacks on the city the French are referring to this as the 'new normal' as the military presence on the street is increased.
Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January, the beheading of a boss by an Islamist in June and a train attack in August, 2015 has proved France's year of terror.
As my friend said to me by email as she met with her friends in a local cafe close to her flat in Paris, 'Yes, we are scared, but their is a new spirit of togetherness, a feeling of great sadness, an anger and a determination to keep going. People are frightened, of course, but they are also incensed by this outrage.'