MUMBAI: A series of terrorist attacks carried by gunmen and bombers, has resulted in over 120 deaths in Paris so far, French media have reported. French president Francois Hollande declared a rare state of emergency in the country, closing off its borders, clubs, streets and other activities. 24 Hours of Reality and Live Earth- a live webcast based in the city of Paris that started on Friday- was suspended citing the unfortunate development that has affected the lives of hundreds in France’s capital.
The concert, which was aimed at advocating climate action ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, was set to feature a number of musical acts including Elton John, Pharrell Williams, Florence and the Machine, Bon Jovi, Hozier, Mumford & Sons, and Neil Young.
Duran Duran, one of the participating acts for the 24-Hour webcast, had performed outside the Eiffel Tower at 6.30 p.m. PT. The band, however, informed about their safety after reaching London.
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All safe. https://t.co/qjeSBynTma
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) November 13, 2015
Pharell Williams, too, took to his Twitter account to express his emotions.
#PRAYFORPARIS https://t.co/WI5TaLYfZy
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) November 14, 2015
The initiative, co-founded by former American vice-president Al Gore, started at 9 a.m. PT, but circumstances demanded for Gore to go live to release a statement calling off the programme. In the statement, Gore said, “Out of solidarity with the French people and the City of Paris, we have decided to suspend our broadcast of 24 Hours of Reality and Live Earth.”
Al Gore sent his condolences to the families affected with the deadly terrorist attacks, with over 80 deaths reported from a Rock concert where the band Eagles of Death Metal was performing.
The concert was not the only musical event affected post the terror shutdown. Irish rock band U2 has canceled its Paris concert for Live HBO Special, which was slated for Saturday. “As a result of the ongoing state of emergency across France, the U2 Paris concert scheduled for 14th November will not be going ahead as planned,” read a statement on the band’s website. “U2 and Live Nation, along with HBO who were due to live broadcast the Saturday concert, are fully resolved to go ahead with this show at an appropriate time.”
