'It was like 9/11': Travellers arriving in Hong Kong from Paris tell of horror at attacks
In the wake of the most violent attack on France since World War II, the first passengers from Paris to land in Hong Kong on were still reeling from grief and shock.
In the wake of the most violent attack on France since World War II, the first passengers from Paris to land in Hong Kong on were still reeling from grief and shock.
IN PICTURES: How Hong Kong and the world mourned for Paris
“I was eating a burger with my colleague in a little French restaurant near the hotel [in the first district] when my husband called me to check if I was OK,” said Vanessa Dulaine, as she arrived at Hong Kong for business.
A New Yorker whose father is French, she was in Paris on holiday and draw parallels of Friday’s series of terror attacks to her memory of 9/11, when the World Trade twin towers crumbled.
“Seeing it on the news there was the same intensity. Everyone couldn’t take their eyes off the TV,” she said.
“I love Paris, and of course I’ll go back to Paris,” said Dulaine, who was born in France.
READ MORE: Mourners in Paris ignore warnings, gather at sites where victims fell
“I’m from New York, being from that city, you never want to see any city go through something like this.”
Dulaine described her Saturday walking along the Seine and visiting the eerily quiet grounds of the Louvre. She had resolved to go out despite the city being shock.
In Hong Kong, a book of condolences will be opened at the French consulate in Admiralty Monday morning. A vigil for the victims is scheduled for 6.30pm at Tamar.
Other passengers arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport from Paris echoed similar feelings of grief and shock.
READ MORE: Tears, anger and solidarity: Hong Kong's French community reacts to Paris terror attacks
“I don’t feel angry, just really sad,” said Lei Xing, a Beijinger who moved to Paris with her husband in 2006.
Lei said she was at her Paris suburb home, watching TV when she heard the news.
“Paris was like a dead city on Saturday,” she added.
In a rare move, Disneyland announced it would be closed to on Saturday “in support of our community and victims of these horrendous attacks.”
They announced the break as a move of sympathy, not security.
Watch: World sings, lights up in solidarity with France after deadly Paris attacks
If you don't want to stay here, then go
Islamic extremists attacked the satirical newspaper for running cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad.
“I was at home when I found out, reading a book. My sister called me from the Netherlands and asked if I was OK,” said Colberun, adding that her home is close to the city centre, not far from where the attacks took place.
“It’s almost like we’re used to this,” she says. “It wasn't that big a surprise. We know what France is doing in Syria and that we will be getting responses like this.”
French President Hollande has called the attacks an “act of war” organised by the Islamic State with help inside France.
“Paris is our home,” says Colberun.
“To the people doing this I'd like to ask them why. You don't have to kill people to be free. If you don't want to stay here, then go."
Watch: More than 100 people killed in Paris 'terror' attacks
