LONDON: A Malaysian family currently on holiday in Paris planned to dine at a pizza outlet close to the Le Petit Cambodge restaurant.
However, as the eatery was packed, the family went elsewhere for dinner - a move which might have saved their lives as Le Petit Cambodge was one of the city restaurants which came under attack by gunmen during what was described as a night of terror in Paris.
“It (The restaurant) was full because it was Friday night. So, we decided to have dinner at Place de la République (Republic Square) close to our hotel, and located about eight minutes from the restaurant which came under attack,” said Muhammad Afifi Che Rawi, 30, when contacted by Bernama.
By the time the family returned to their hotel, he said police cars had begun to converge in the direction of Alibert Street, where Le Petit Cambodge was located.
“It was about this time that I received news alerts about the multiple attacks in the city,” said Muhammad Afifi who was joined on the Paris trip by wife, Shuhada A. Karim, 29, and their two-year-old son, Imaan.
“Not long after that, the police started to block the road in front of our hotel, up to the road leading to the restaurant (Le Petit Cambodge), and stopped vehicles from plying through,” he said.
The night was punctuated by endless sounds of sirens, adding to the chaotic scenes unfolding, he added, his voice tinged with shock over what was happening.
“About 10pm, there was a woman running hysterically in the street where the restaurant was located, crying and shouting in French. She was running towards our hotel.
“I don’t know what happened to her after that. It’s early morning now and the police are still securing the hotel’s perimeter,” he said.
Muhammad Afifi said he would try to move out to another hotel or find the way to the Malaysian Embassy as he was concerned over the well-being of his family.
It was reported that over 150 people were killed in the attacks against several targets across Paris, prompting French President François Hollande to close borders and declare a state of emergency. --Bernama