Paris(ANN)the Guardian reporter Kevin Rawlinson has more from the disturbance at Gatwick we reported earlier.
The death toll stands at 127, while about 200 are believed to have been wounded, 99 seriously.
Explosives experts are inspecting an item discarded at Gatwick airport, police say. A terminal was evacuated as a precautionary measure and the man who abandoned the item in question has been arrested, officers say.
Police patrol London’s St Pancras station on Saturday. Photograph: Hannah McKay/PA
Police were called on Saturday morning to reports of “suspicious actions” on the man’s part. They said explosives ordinance disposal specialist officers were on the scene but that it was too early to determine what the item was.
Polish president Andrzej Duda places flowers and lights a candle for the victims of the Paris attacks in front of the French embassy in Warsaw. Photograph: Jacek Turczyk/EPA
“Given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness,” said det supt Nick May of Sussex police.
“We are aware that there is concern about what has happened in France, but the general threat level remains the same and people should be aware as usual of anyone acting suspiciously.”
The north terminal was evacuated and a statement from Gatwick airport read: “Roads around the terminal are also temporarily closed and there is no access for vehicles.
“If you are due to fly from North Terminal this afternoon, please contact your airline for the latest flight information. If you are meeting a passenger arriving at NT, they will now arrive at South Terminal.”
Paris attackers ‘had French, Egyptian and Syrian passports’
The French newspaper Libération reports that one of the terrorists who carried out the Bataclan shooting has been confirmed as a French extremist who was known to police.
It also reports that an Egyptian passport was found on one of the attackers the Stade de France, as well as a Syrian passport. Neither man has had their identity confirmed by officials.
The paper’s police and justice correspondent, Willy Le Devin, says police have identified the French national by his fingerprints, and confirmed he was known to police.
Earlier on Saturday, the death toll at each location was reported as: 87 at the Bataclan theatre; 18 at Boulevard de Charonne; one at Boulevard Voltaire; five at Rue de la Fontaine au Roi; and 14 at Rue Alibert. More deaths have been reported on Saturday morning but it is unclear where they occurred. At the Stade de France, the Paris prosecutor François Molins, says “some” people were killed, possibly three. However, it is not clear whether they are attackers or victims.
The French government also convened an emergency meeting on Saturday morning to formulate its response to the attack. An international investigation is launched overnight and officials have said “accomplices” are still at large.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged his support to France, after at least 127 people have been killed in coordinated series of terror attacks in Paris. The attacks on 13 November included suicide bombings at the Stade de France and 87 people being executed at a music venue in the French capital.
Cameron convened a Cobra meeting after the attacks and confirmed that the British terror alert will remain at “severe”, meaning an attack is highly likely.
“The events in Paris are the worst act of violence in France since the Second World War, the worst terrorist attack in Europe for a decade,” he said. “A horrifying and sickening attack. Our hearts go out to the French people and to all those who lost loved ones. Today the British and French people stand together as we have so often before in our history when confronted by evil. Shocked but resolute, in sorrow but unbowed.”
World leaders have voiced outrage, with many pledging to help France with the ongoing investigation. Barack Obama says America stood shoulder-to-shoulder with France. The Vatican has also condemned the attack as “mad terrorist violence”.
In his statement at Downing Street, the PM also warned that some of the casualties could be British.
“Last night’s attack suggests a new degree of planning and coordination and a greater ambition for mass casualty attacks. And we must recognise that however strong we are, however much we prepare, we in the UK face the same threat. That’s why we continue to encourage the public to remain vigilant and we will do all we can to support our police and intelligence agencies with the resources and the capabilities they need,” Cameron added.
islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks
In an official statement, the group said France was its “top target”. It says it carefully studied the locations for the attacks, which were carried out by fighters wearing suicide belts and carrying machine guns.
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