Paris attacks: Francois Hollande joins remembrance ceremony at Bataclan

Remembrance: French President Francois Hollande and Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo
EPA
Mark Chandler13 November 2016

French President Francois Hollande has joined survivors and victims' families at the Bataclan concert hall to mark one year since the Paris terror atrocities.

On November 13 last year, 89 people were killed in a massacre at the venue where Eagles Of Death Metal were performing, including Briton Nick Alexander.

Mr Hollande and Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo arrived amid tight security and unveiled two plaques covered by a French flag at the door of the theatre.

The names of the victims were read out followed by a period of silence as a tribute to those who lost their lives.

Paris attacks anniversary: Bataclan survivors remember the terror

Suicide bombers - Frenchmen Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Amimour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23 - stormed into the venue while attackers also targeted cafes and the Stade de France. In total, 130 people died.

Anniversary: Mr Hollande unveiled a commemorative plaque near the 'La Belle Equipe' cafe
EPA

Mr Alexander had been on tour with the American band selling merchandise and tried to play dead when he was approached by one of the gunmen who opened fire.

Attacks: A young girl stands in front of a growing number of tributes
REUTERS

Former Police frontman Sting re-opened the Bataclan with a poignant performance on Saturday night.

Mr Hollande was at commemoration events at all the seven sites hit by the Islamic extremists.

Sunday's commemoration comes after Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes was turned away from Sting's concert at the venue after Bataclan management said he was "not welcome".

In the months after the massacre, Hughes provoked anger when he suggested Bataclan security staff were complicit in the attack and later apologised.

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