Paris, France – France has raised its national security alert to the highest level following a deadly attack at a concert hall in Moscow on Friday. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed over 137 people and injured 140.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the heightened security measures on X, a social media platform. “In light of the IS claim of responsibility and the ongoing threats to our nation,” Attal said, “we’ve raised the Vigipirate alert system to its maximum level: attack emergency.”
À la suite de l’attentat de Moscou, un Conseil de Défense et de Sécurité nationale a été réuni ce soir à l’Elysée par le Président de la République.
Compte tenu de la revendication de l’attentat par l’état islamique et des menaces qui pèsent sur notre pays, nous avons décidé de…
— Gabriel Attal (@GabrielAttal) March 24, 2024France’s three-tiered security alert system triggers the “attack emergency” level when an attack occurs within the country or abroad, or when an imminent threat is detected. This highest level allows for increased security measures, including more armed patrols in public areas.
The decision comes as France prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games later this year. The move follows an emergency security meeting convened by President Emmanuel Macron after the Moscow attack.