France paused in silence on Sunday to observe the one-year anniversary of coordinated Islamic terrorist attacks throughout Paris that left 130 dead and scores more injured.
President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled plaques and left flowers at several sites where the massacres were carried out, including the Bataclan concert hall and the Stade de France.
The commemoration at the latter read, “in memory of Manuel Dias,” the first victim in the hours-long onslaught carried out by the Islamic State. Dias, 63, was killed by a suicide bomber in one of three blasts that shook the foundations of France’s national stadium during a soccer match against Germany.
The deadliest site in the Nov. 13, 2015, attacks was the Bataclan theater, where three terrorists opened fire and claimed the lives of 90 concert-goers. The theater reopened its doors with an emotional show by Sting on Saturday.
“We’ve got two important things to do tonight,” the 65-year-old musician said at the concert, reported The Associated Press. “First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attacks a year ago … and to celebrate the life and the music of this historic venue. … We shall not forget them.”
Nine people still remain hospitalized from the attacks, and the government said more than 600 people are still recovering psychologically from the massacres.
France declared a state of emergency after the Nov. 13 attacks. It is still in effect, bolstered by other terrorist attacks inspired by radical Islam over the course of the year.
A police couple were killed in their home last June; 86 revelers were killed in a July 14 Bastille Day celebration in Nice when a man drove his truck through the crowd; and a priest was beheaded at the altar of his Normandy church in July.
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