As the people of Paris pick themselves up and vow to reclaim their city extraordinary tales of heroism are emerging from the horrific terrorist attacks that claimed 129 lives on Friday night.
Tonight in Paris the Eiffel Tower is bathed in red, white and blue as it re-opens for the first time since Friday night’s terrorist attacks.
The Tower is a symbol of hope and freedom for the French. A representation of our hope of a better world. When the lights turned the famous monument red, white and blue the minds of the world turned not just to those who lost their lives but also to those who saved lives.
The heroes of the Paris attacks.
No doubt over the coming weeks there will be more tales of bravery emerging as survivors speak out about the atrocities they witnessed.
Here are just a few…
Zouheir – the Muslim security guard who saved an untold number of lives at the Stade De France attack.
The careful and calculated planning by the extremists responsible for Friday’s terrorist acts is now being investigated.
Police say they believe that the death toll at the Stade De France could have been in the hundreds, or even thousands had a lone security guard not uncovered a suicide bomber’s vest as he tried to enter the stadium.
It is believed that the plan the extremists had was to detonate the bombs inside the game – attended by 80,000 people and create mass panic and a stampede which would have led to further loss of life.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a security guard by the name of Zouheir discovered a ticket holder wearing an explosives vest when he frisked the man at the entrance to the stadium about 15 minutes into the game.
The man then attempted to back away from security and the detonated the vest, which was loaded with explosives and bolts, Zouheir who survived the blast, was stationed by the players’ tunnel. He said he was briefed on the sequence by the security frisking team at the gate.
Around three minutes later, a second person also blew himself up outside the stadium and then a third suicide attacker detonated explosives at a nearby McDonald’s, police said.
Brave fans sing the national anthem as they leave the Stade De France.