Hobart woman injured in Paris attacks

A 19-year-old Hobart woman is believed to have been shot during one of the terror attacks in Paris.

Paris shooting

Emma Grace Parkinson, the Hobart woman reportedly shot in Paris. Source: Facebook

A young Hobart woman has been injured in the wave of terror attacks in Paris which have killed more than 120 people.

Emma Parkinson's family says the 19-year-old was shot at the Bataclan theatre when four gunmen opened fire on concert-goers who had turned out to watch US rock band Eagles of Death Metal.

Parkinson's family told the Nine Network the teenager was currently in hospital but her condition is unknown.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop confirmed she was aware one Australian had been injured in the attacks and the department was offering the injured person consular assistance.

"The Australian government is continuing to work with French authorities to identify any other Australians who may be affected," she said on Saturday evening.

At this stage there are no reports of any Australians among the dead.

The Bataclan music hall was one of several entertainment sites around Paris targeted by gunmen and bombers who killed scores of people.

Ms Bishop said Australia had offered all possible assistance to French authorities.

"We stand in solidarity with the French people in condemning these horrific and devastating attacks," she said.

The foreign minister said it was not known who was responsible "but it certainly has all the hallmarks of the terrorist attacks we've seen in recent times by ISIL, Daesh and similar organisations".

Australian travellers in Paris have been advised to heed the advice of French authorities and remain indoors and wait out the situation.
Expat Australian health-care worker Emma Pike had just returned from watching the new James Bond film and was unaware of the drama unfolding just 500 metres from the front door to her apartment block in Voltaire in the city's 11th arrondissement.

She was alerted by her father, who sent her a text message from his Adelaide home wanting to know if she was safe.

"I said to him, 'What are you talking about?' and I turned on the TV and saw it," Ms Pike said.

"Then my phone exploded with people texting me.

"I can't imagine I will be sleeping a lot tonight."

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman said he had spoken to Ms Parkinson's family and passed on his wishes for her "full and speedy" recovery.

"The government has been working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that she and her family are supported in this difficult and distressing time," Mr Hodgman said.

"Understandably, the young woman's family have asked that I convey their request that their privacy be respected," he said.

The premier also condemned the attacks, saying they were an assault on the French values of liberté, égalité and fraternité.

"Today, we also share in the pain, knowing that this has touched us too," he said.


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Source: AAP


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Hobart woman injured in Paris attacks | SBS News