Europe, Editor’s Pick



Celebrities, world leaders and civilians have united in solidarity with those in Paris in the aftermath of the worst atrocity in France in decades.

The hashtag #porteouverte (dooropen) was circulated to offer a safe refuge for people who could not get home in Paris.

The hashtag #porteouverte (dooropen) was circulated to offer a safe refuge for people who could not get home in Paris. Image by Twitter

Miles away from the horror of the terror attacks, people were logging on to social media sites to share their shock at the events which unfolded on a Friday night in the French capital.

Hashtags including #PrayforParis, #JeSuisParis and #StandWithParis were flooding Twitter as people across the globe tried to process the trauma.

A sketch of the Eiffel Tower as a peace sign was circulating after it was posted on Instagram by users including Sir Elton John, One Direction singer Harry Styles, pop stars Justin Bieber and Britney Spears, and chef Jamie Oliver.

The site credited the image to Jean Jullien, who captioned it “Peace for Paris”, while Instagram used it alongside a different version of the hashtag that became widely used after the Charlie Hebdo killings in January, posting #jesuisparis.

#prayforparis was trending worldwide.

#prayforparis was trending worldwide. Image by Twitter

Sir Elton wrote: “‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ -Martin Luther King Jr.”

Bieber wrote: “My love prayers and thoughts are with the families of this horrible tragedy. #prayforparis.”

Taylor Swift posted a picture of a woman looking out over what appears to be a bridge on the River Seine, and wrote: “Praying for Paris. Ours hearts are breaking for and with you.”

David Beckham posted a picture on Instagram of the sun rising over Paris and wrote: “As the sun rises in this beautiful city we remember the people that have died and the families that have lost loved ones… Our thoughts are with you all… PrayForParis.”

Other images being shared include a black peace ribbon laid over the French flag, a pair of hands clasped together in prayer around the Eiffel Tower, and a montage of famous landmarks emblazoned in red, white and blue.

On Friday night the hashtag #PorteOuverte, which translates as Door Open, was being used to help people out in the city’s streets to safety. The city remains in lockdown, with the country’s schools and universities, which often open on Saturdays, ordered to remain closed.

Facebook enabled a safety check feature called Paris Terror Attacks to allow people to let their friends know they are safe, or to try to locate people they know in the city.

For up to date information please follow the Thorn Tree forum

How the night of terror in Paris unfolded

Disneyland Paris closed today after Paris massacre

A look at the targets of the Paris terror attacks

Emergency contact numbers for Paris attacks

U2 cancel Paris concert, Eagles of Death Metal safe