The multiple terrorist attacks which rocked Paris on Friday night were an “assault on the French way of life”, according to Maltese who call the city home.

Maltese Parisians told The Sunday Times of Malta daily life had ground to a halt yesterday after gunmen and bombers attacked busy restaurants, bars and a concert hall, killing around 130 people.

On the evening of the attacks, panic gripped the city, and the following morning, the normally bustling avenues were empty, as locals retreated to their homes.

Oliver Degabriele

Oliver Degabriele, a Maltese musician who has been living in Paris for several years, said everyone in the city was locked up at home, too scared to go out.

“There is a sense of fear, of being too scared to do anything and not sure what can be done. Being locked up in fear isn’t something we are used to in Paris. I guess this must be what war feels like,” Mr Degabriele said.

He was playing in a concert hall “quite close to where all this madness happened” and knows the area which came under attack well. “At first, we heard some commotion, but couldn’t tell how serious it was. Within a couple of minutes it became clear. Today it is deserted. There’s no one around, everyone is home, which is strange for a Saturday in Paris,” he said.

Sandro Zerafa

Jazz musician Sandro Zerafa, was also in Paris at the time of the attacks, and said every-where he looked, he saw the expression of shock yesterday. “There is a state of emergency in Paris and the instructions are to stay home unless absolutely necessary. The initial impact seems far greater than what happened last January [when satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo was attacked],” he said.

Mr Zerafa said the question on everyone’s lips was what were the targets of the attack?

“You begin to wonder, was the target our well-being? Our leisure? Our way of life? That’s how it feels,” he said.

Musician Karl Fiorini said he had received several texts from friends telling him to get home when the attacks struck, followed by messages of concern and remorse the following day.

Karl Fiorini

“It all happened quite close to where I live. The atmosphere today is heavy, it’s hanging over the day and the streets are almost empty,” he said.

Mr Fiorini said the city had gone back to normal after the Charlie Hebdo attacks, but the security measures where now back in full force.

“Now it’s like a war zone. And if something else happens this state of emergency will be extended. These attacks feel like so much bigger than Charlie Hebdo. This was massive,” he said.