Press releases

MINSK, 15 November (BelTA) – The Embassy of France in Minsk has opened the Book of Condolences to honor the victims of a number of terror acts in Paris, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Belarus Dominique Gazuy told media, BelTA informs.

Messages can be left from 9h30 to 17h00 with a break between 12h30 to 14h00.

The Ambassador thanked everyone who expressed condolences, including by phone. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those people who bring flowers to the embassy, to all Belarusians who express their solidarity with the French people,” she said.

Dominique Gazuy reminded the media that a series of terror acts rocked Paris and Ile-de-France late on 13 November. “These terrorist attacks were committed by eight terrorists. They were well-trained, armed and wore explosive belts,” said the Ambassador.

An inquiry was opened into the attacks, and it has been gathering pace. All forces, including police and military, have been mobilized. Close cooperation has been established with Belgium where terrorists’ traces are leading, too. The most tragic moment in these events, according to the Ambassador, is that there are a lot of young people among the victims and those suffered. “It all happened in a cafe, at the stadium during a football match, in a theater. A Friday evening is a time when young people are outside, entertain, celebrate something,” she said.

Everything started from the stadium where 80,000 people gathered to watch France play Germany. French President Francois Hollande was among the spectators. The second attack which claimed the biggest number of victims (over 80 people) was committed in the Bataclan concert hall which played host to a concert of a rock band. Place de la Republique was chosen for the third attack. All in all, nearly 130 people were killed. 99 people are in a critical condition, said the Ambassador.

France has declared three days of national mourning. The President of France has introduced a national state of emergency and ordered to tighten borders.

The Ambassador stressed that terrorists have been seeking ways to seed fear and strike terror, which means the society needs to demonstrate its unity and strength.