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PARIS TERROR ATTACKS

TERRORISM

Swede confirmed dead after Paris terror attacks

UPDATED: A Swedish citizen was among the victims of the attacks that killed more than 120 people in Paris on Friday, while another was injured, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

Published: 14 November 2015 08:35 CET
Updated: 14 November 2015 14:41 CET
Swede confirmed dead after Paris terror attacks
Emergency services in Paris's 10th district on Friday night. Photo: Jacques Brinon/TT/AP

LIVE: Follow the latest developments on The Local France

More than 120 people were killed in a series of coordinated bombings and shootings across Paris on Friday, including around 100 shot dead in a bloodbath at a rock concert.

“We have information that one person of Swedish nationality was wounded by gunfire and another was killed,” said Johan Tegel, a ministry spokesman told public television in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The news was confirmed by Swedish Interior Minister Anders Ygeman, speaking to Sveriges Radio in the afternoon.

Read witness accounts of the attacks on The Local France

Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wallström was among the first global figureheads rushing to condemn the attacks on Friday, describing the violence as “horrible news”.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven told a press conference just after noon on Saturday that Swedes were “grieving” for France and for the Swedish victims.

“We think of the victims and their relatives, of parents who have lost their children. One Swede is dead and we have information that another Swede has been wounded in a shooting. We are in touch with their families,” he said.

Stockholmers also joined members of the French community living in the Swedish capital and held a peaceful rally in Sergel's torg, one of the largest public squares in the city.

Horrible news from Paris tonight. Our thoughts and support goes to France and all those affected by the deadly attacks.

Meanwhile Swedish officials announced that they were stepping up security in the wake of the terror in France and ahead of Sweden's Euro 2016 qualifier against Denmark in Solna, north of Stockholm, scheduled to kick off at 8.45pm.

 

PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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