HOW THE SIEGE OF SAINT-DENIS UNFOLDED
4.25am (Local
time) French police and security forces launch a major operation in the
north Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. Abdelhamid Abaaoud, mastermind of
Friday's attacks, is its target.
Scores
of police officers storm the building, but are held back when they
meet heavy gunfire suffer several casualties. A large explosion is
heard.
5:55am
Trucks carrying French soldiers and a number of ambulances and fire
engines are seen rushing towards Saint Denis. Surrounding roads are
sealed off and residents are told to stay indoors.
6.27am
A helicopter is seen circling over the apartment block and a pedestrian
area at the centre of the siege. More police reinforcements arrive at
the scene.
7.20am
Intense gunfire and several explosions are heard in Saint-Denis, with
some people claiming to have heard the sound of grenades. Police in riot
gear move to clear civilian bystanders from the streets.
7.30am As
the siege enters its third hour, seven explosions rock Saint-Denis and
witnesses close to the building report the sound of grenades coming from
the apartment block. One explosion was from a woman detonating a
suicide vest.
8.20am
Police announce that two suspects - a man and a woman - were killed in
the operation and two suspects detained, although it is not known if
Abaaoud is among them, dead or alive.
9.00am Three more suspects from flat are arrested another man and woman are arrested nearby.
9.30am One
suspect remains in the apartment five hours after the operation began.
The number of arrests rises to five, including two at a nearby shopping
centre.
10.00am French authorities confirm the death of a police dog in the operation and a police officer is shot in the foot
10.34am Siege ends as a man with no trousers on is dragged from building. There were seven arrests in total.
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