French school devastated by London terror attack had already lost a former pupil in the Paris Bataclan massacre
THE French school left devastated by the Westminster Bridge attack had already lost a former pupil in the Bataclan terrorist massacre in Paris, it emerged today.
Three boys from St Joseph’s, in the seaside town of Concarneau, Brittany, suffered serious injuries when a terrorist car ploughed into them in London on Wednesday afternoon.
Named locally as Victor, Yann and Thomas, they were aged between 15 and 16, and travelling in a party of about 90 French schoolchildren visiting Westminster.
Today André Fidelin, the Mayor of Concarneau, said it was the second time in as many years that the school had been hit by terrorism.
In November 2015, former St Joseph’s pupil Estelle Rouat, 25, was in the Bataclan concert hall in Paris when it was turned into a bloodbath by Islamic State suicide bombers.
Estelle, who was working as an English teacher, was murdered alongside 88 others as she attended a concert by the American band Eagles of Death Metal.
Estelle had a particular love of Britain, having first gone on a trip to Penzance, Cornwall, which is
Concarneau’s twin town, when she was at St Joseph’s.
She had worked in Colchester, Essex, before moving to Paris, where she was hit by gunfire.
Her boyfriend, Remi, was seriously injured alongside her.
Mr Fidelin, the mayor, said: "It’s terrible, because a psychosis is likely to set in at the school because it has already been affected by terrorism.
"Our emotion is intense. Concarneau is again touched by terror and horror, and we can not imagine the anguish and anxiety of the parents.
"The attacks can happen anytime, anywhere, and they can touch our loved ones and all of those who are dear to us."
Mr Fidelin said: "A psychological unit has been set up for anybody who needs it. The hardest thing will be to manage things when victims return."
About 35 of the 90 plus party from St Joseph’s were on Westminster Bridge when the attack happened. They were in the age range 15 to 16.
Johan, one of the survivors, told French media in London: "There was a barrier between us but it gave way and the car went on to hit the students."
The trip to London is an annual one at St Joseph’s. Enzo, a pupil who travelled in 2016 said: "We went to London) last year at the same time.
"We were very lucky – this touches us deeply. It causes extreme pain for everyone."
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