IANS/Paris/New Delhi
No Indian has been identified yet among the casualties of the deadly Paris terror attacks, French Ambassador to India Francois Richier and India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said yesterday.
“At this stage, no Indian national has been identified among the casualties,” the French envoy said in a statement in Delhi.
Sushma Swaraj tweeted: “I have spoken to the Indian ambassador in France. He has informed me that all Indians are safe. France has advised citizens to stay indoors.”
Earlier, the Indian embassy in France also said there was no report of any Indian killed or wounded in the attacks in which at least 127 people died.
Deputy Chief of Mission Manish Prabhat told a television channel: “As of now, there is no report of any Indian being killed.”
He said that since the embassy staff was not allowed to go out due to restrictions imposed by French authorities, “we don’t have a ground report and there is no independent way of finding it out”.
Prabhat said Paris was home to some 100,000 Indians.
Richier said: “A state of emergency had been declared last night (Friday) across metropolitan France.
“Security services have been deployed in numbers to ensure the neutralisation of terrorists and the safety of all. Reinforced measures are being implemented throughout the Paris region. Border checks have been restored with immediate effect.”
“As far as India is concerned, security measures of the French diplomatic and institutional premises are being beefed up. We thank the Indian central and state authorities for their collaboration,” the French envoy added.
A phone line for visitors in Paris has been set up on +33 (0) 1 45 55 80 00, while the Indian embassy’s number in Paris is +33 (0) 1 40 50 70 70.
The French envoy expressed gratitude for messages of solidarity from President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“France is grateful to the president of India and the prime minister of India for their messages of solidarity and friendship,” he said.
The French embassy was “deeply grateful” for the numerous messages of support received from Indian citizens from all walks of life, Richier said.
Earlier, Indian ambassador Mohan Kumar hoped all Indians were safe. “Our prayers with families affected and solidarity with France,” he tweeted.
A sand artist finishes a sculpture yesterday in Bhubaneswar paying tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.
