Advertisement

Eagles of Death Metal returned to perform their Bataclan gig earlier tonight

Updated: 22.00 Survivors of the Bataclan theatre massacre said they were ready to "finish" their ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

12.51 16 Feb 2016


Share this article


Eagles of Death Metal returned...

Eagles of Death Metal returned to perform their Bataclan gig earlier tonight

Newstalk
Newstalk

12.51 16 Feb 2016


Share this article


Updated: 22.00

Survivors of the Bataclan theatre massacre said they were ready to "finish" their gig when Eagles of Death Metal played in Paris earlier tonight.

The concert comes three months after 90 people were shot dead by terrorists as the American band played on stage.

Advertisement

A further 99 concert goers were seriously injured at the Bataclan theatre as venues across Paris came under attack from IS militants on 13 November last year.

Survivor Lydia Berkennou, 27, from London, who was watching the band at the time, told Sky News: "To me it was obvious that this gig needed to be finished and the right way this time.

"It will help me move forward and it is a big step, one thing that may help me close the door behind me. Some of us, can (still) hear the bullets, the sound, the smell, the view - every time I see something bloody the images come back."

The support group Life for Paris, which was set up in the wake of the attacks, has reported many survivors struggling to understand how to access help.

Psychologist Asma Guenifi, who has worked with around 50 people caught up in the attacks, said the way victims of terrorism are treated has to improve. "I think unfortunately there is a lot more to do," she told Sky News. "Give them one phone number to call and that is something that there needs to be - one phone number victims can call."

She hopes the appointment last week of a Secretary of State for Victim Support in France will help improve the system there.

The show took place at the Olympia concert hall - with frontman Jesse Hughes telling the crowd: "Ain't nobody going to stop us."

Doors opened at the Olympia earlier than usual to allow survivors time within the venue and extra medical teams are to be on standby throughout the night.

Reporter Tom Parmenter was there and says deafening cheers and applause rang out as the group began their set:

The band appeared on stage with U2 in Paris in December but very tight security is expected for the full comeback gig.

In an earlier statement the band said: "Not returning to finish our set was never an option."

 

Last week, the Bataclan theatre management team vowed to renovate and reopen the venue by the end of 2016.


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular