Paris struggles to return to normality

As a security alert brought Brussels to a standstill, people in Paris are struggling with getting back to normal life.

Paris struggles to return to normalityParis struggles to return to normality

Paris struggles to return to normality

The iconic Eiffel Tower is usually thronged with tourists: they have been replaced by heavily armed soldiers.

The public has been advised to avoid places with crowds but slowly, people are resuming normal life.

Paris resident Stephane Vay says he feels reassured by the security presence.

 

"We feel safe, we can see soldiers and police so there are no fears, but we still think about it, of course."

 

This year Parisians are doing their Christmas shopping against a backdrop of heightened tension.

Parents are determined their children will not miss out on the festive displays.

Perrine Carlier has taken her two daughters to see the Christmas decorations.

 

"We wish it had been under different circumstances, but we are trying not to change our pre-Christmas traditions."

 

Amid the optimism, there is also fear.

Parisian resident Marie Lebisquot believes the attacks are not over yet.

 

"I am sure there will be some more attacks, I am just sure about it, but we don't know when, we don't know where, we don't know how. So we just can't stop living, waiting for this to happen, we just have to carry on."

 

There are flowers and candles at the Bataclan memorial site, where 89 people were shot inside the concert hall.

The scene is very different to the one ten days ago.

The French interior ministry has released footage of rescue operations.

The Tasmanian teenager caught up in the attack, Emma Parkinson, describes the carnage inside the concert hall.

 

"It just sort of came through my head, 'OK, I've been shot, did it hit anything important? Probably not ... gotta keep going', so I kept going."

 

Members of the rock band Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing that night, are also opening up about the horrific experience.

Jesse Hughes is the lead singer.

 

"Several people hid in our dressing room and the killers were able to get in and killed every one of them, except for a kid who was hiding under my leather jacket."

 

French police have issued a photo of a third assailant they believe attacked the Stade de France.

They want to know who he is.

They say they already know where he came from: investigators say he travelled from Greece to France posing as a refugee.

 






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