Sting to reopen Bataclan hall 1 year after Paris attacks
Singer first performed at concert hall in 1979, says proceeds will go to charities helping survivors
A concert by British pop legend Sting is marking the reopening of the Paris Bataclan concert hall one year after suicidal extremists turned it into a bloodbath and killed 90 revellers with automatic weapons and explosive belts.
The co-ordinated attacks in Paris last year on Nov. 13 left 130 people dead and hundreds more injured, stunning France and the world.
The Bataclan said all 1,000 Sting concert tickets sold out in "less than 30 minutes" and survivors and their families have also been invited to the Saturday night concert.
Sting, 65, is no stranger to the Paris venue. He played there decades ago in 1979 as lead singer of The Police. The singer's new album 57th & 9th was released Friday.
Sting said the concert proceeds would go to two charities helping survivors. More than 1,700 people have been officially recognized as victims of the horror that unfolded at the Bataclan, Paris cafés and France's national stadium.
The concert hall — which has been refurbished to its original state — will remain closed on Sunday's actual anniversary of the attacks, when authorities plan to unveil a plaque outside to commemorate the victims.
In addition to those who died, nine people remain hospitalized from the attacks and others are paralyzed or otherwise irreparably injured. The government says more than 600 people are still receiving psychological treatment related to the attacks.