France raises security alert to its highest level on Sunday following the recent deadly terrorist attack that occurred on Friday at a concert hall in Moscow, the capital of Russia, where over 137 people were killed and 140 injured in the attack by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group who have claimed responsibility. This development was made known in a post on X( (formerly known as Twitter) from the official page of the Prime Minister of France, Gabriel Attal.
The post reads, “Following the attack in Moscow, a Defense and National Security Council was convened this evening at the Elysee by the President of the Republic.
“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 to its highest level: attack emergency.”
Vigipirate is France’s terror alert system which has three levels with its associated response mechanisms such as increased patrols by security agencies in the country’s public places like train stations, religious sites etc.
The “attack emergency” level is activated following an attack in France or abroad or when the threat of a terrorist attack is considered imminent.
France was already on high alert ahead of the Paris Olympic games and Paralympics scheduled for this year.
