French expat: My friends hid in cafes during the Paris attacks

Inssafy Naga.

The brutal terror attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead have sent shock waves among French expatriates around the world, including those in the UAE.
Inssafy Naga, who moved to Abu Dhabi from Paris six months ago, told Khaleej Times she was "stunned" when she woke up to the news of the coordinated attacks.
"I woke up to a million phone calls and messages telling me to check on family and friends ... living in Paris," she said.
The 24-year-old, who works in a bank, noted that the attacks took place much closer to home than she could have imagined. "The university where I studied in Paris is right ... near the scene (of the attacks). The attacks took place on a Friday evening, this is when my friends and I usually (went) ... out to cafes and restaurants. I could have been right there!
"My friends were there, so there is definitely a 90 per cent chance that I would have been there that night, if I (hadn't) moved to Abu Dhabi," she said.
She said some of her friends were very close to where the attacks took place. "My friends hid in cafes during the attacks. They heard gunshots and ... people screaming.
"The ... doors (of the cafes) were locked to keep them safe inside," she noted.
She recalled the state of shock her friends were in after the traumatising experience. "When I finally (got through to) my friends, they were not understanding or speaking properly. They were just in a (state of) shock," she said. "You need some time to understand and adjust."
Naga, who has a Master's degree in corporate finance from the Paris School of Business, said Facebook's 'safety check' feature proved to be a big help in tracking her friends. "I was checking ... if my friends and family were safe through the Facebook safety tool, and ... I immediately called those who didn't check in."
Although the brutality of the attacks has sent ripples of fear, it will not dim the city of lights, Naga said. The daunting event somehow helped bring people closer, she stressed.
"This attack was different from the Charlie Hebdo (attack) in January, because it showed that everyone was united. We had more love messages than ever before."
Countries around the world, including the UAE, showed support and expressed grief after the attacks. Landmarks in the country like the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Shaikh Zayed Bridge and Galleria Mall were lit up in the French national colours as a show of solidarity.
With time, Naga said, the wounds will heal and people will move on.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi