A courageous police officer who responded to the Paris terror attacks recounted the harrowing moment he encountered ‘piles of bodies stacked on top of each other’ following the tragedy at the Bataclan theatre.
France is preparing to observe the 10th anniversary of the brutal ISIS attacks that claimed over 130 lives in Paris, with an official ceremony scheduled at the memorial garden on Place Saint-Gervais. Public participation will be facilitated through giant screens set up at Place de la République.
Jérôme, a member of France’s elite BRI police force, vividly remembers the night of November 13, when 90 people lost their lives in the terrorist massacre at the theatre. The scene inside left even seasoned officers shocked, surpassing all expectations.
During the attack, three gunmen entered the venue at 9:40 pm and unleashed gunfire on 1,500 concert attendees watching Eagles of Death Metal. The chaos lasted for about 20 minutes before a hostage situation emerged, ending when armed police intervened around 12:58 am the following day.
After the hostages escaped, police encountered numerous dead and injured individuals in the auditorium, with a haunting silence interrupted only by cries for help from the wounded. Illuminated by house lights, officers were confronted with a distressing sight, including a large “pit” of stacked bodies.
Recalling the aftermath once the BRI secured the premises, Jérôme described a scene of profound stillness marred by pleas for help amidst the eerie silence. The officer emphasized the unimaginable nature of the night’s events, even for those trained for such scenarios.
In the aftermath, Jérôme stayed connected with some of the hostages he assisted, finding purpose in learning about their lives post-attack. Meanwhile, survivors like Arthur Denouveaux, who battled post-traumatic stress syndrome, shared their ongoing struggles with recovery.
Tomorrow’s commemorative ceremony in central Paris, overseen by Paris 2024 ceremonies director Thierry Reboul, will feature a stage and a requiem composed by Victor Le Masne, the creator of the Olympic anthem.