French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Sunday that France’s the Vigipirate plan warning has been elevated to its highest level of “emergency attack” following the concert attack near Moscow for which the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility.
“Given the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture status to its highest level: attack emergency,” the Prime Minister wrote on the “X” (formerly Twitter) following a defense council meeting at the Élysée.
This decision coincides with Paris gearing up to host the Olympics scheduled from July 26 to August 11, with security concerns escalating as the Games’ opening approaches. During the opening ceremony, where boats will sail along the Seine River and crowds will gather on both banks, heightened security measures will be in place.
The Vigipirate security system is comprised of three levels of alert, the highest level is activated in the event of when there is an imminent attack risk in France or abroad. When this level is activated, additional security measures such as increased military patrols in public areas like train stations, airports, and religious sites are implemented.
The last time France raised the “emergency attack” posture was after the terrorist attack in Arras on October 13, 2023. It was later downgraded to level 2 (“enhanced security – risk of attack”) on January 15, according to Le Figaro.
France has a history of enduring tragic terrorist attacks, notably the Bataclan theater attack in Paris in 2015, which resulted in the deaths of over 130 individuals.
On Friday, Morocco unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack and voiced its solidarity with the Russian authorities in the face of this terrorist act.
The death toll from the Crocus City Hall attack near Moscow on Friday has risen to 137, according to Russian News Agency TASS.
According to the Moscow Region’s health ministry, 180 individuals were injured in the attack. Authorities have apprehended 11 suspects linked to the terrorist incident, including four assailants attempting to flee towards the Ukrainian border.
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed in a televised address to identify and hold to account all those behind the attack on the Crocus City Hall and declared March 24 a day of nationwide mourning.