AS WARWICK'S Lucy Boland was walking the streets of Paris and heard sirens, little did she know it was the result of a terrifying terrorist attack, where 12 people were killed.

Australians awoke yesterday to learn that faceless terrorists had once again struck and committed another atrocity killing and injuring scores of innocent people in the name of Islam.

Warwick teacher Jacinta Boland told the Daily News her daughter Lucy had sent her a message yesterday morning to tell her she was OK after hearing what had happened.

"She was very quick to assure me that she was OK as soon as she ascertained the reason for the sirens and police presence and is relieved to be departing today," Mrs Boland said yesterday.

"She has just done Denmark through Germany, the Netherlands and London completely solo and I am sure she took every precaution that people having coffee in the Lindt cafe did and those killed in Paris."

Lucy spoke to the Daily News late last night from Paris, saying locals and tourists alike were confused about the constant sirens and army presence yesterday until news was released later.

"The city is still in shock and lots of shops were closed last night in the centre," Lucy said.

"Most nightlife came to a halt and the main tourist attractions, particularly the Eiffel Tower, are now under constant military supervision and thorough body checks are being conducted there until the situation stabilises.

"It's pretty hush hush here at the moment to keep panic down..."

When asked if she was worried about her daughter's safety, Mrs Boland was frank.

"I can tell her to lock her luggage and wear gloves but there is little I or anyone can do to protect her from acts of that kind," she said.

"She was thoroughly preoccupied with the Louvre and the lock bridge near Notre Dame and negotiating the metro when she heard sirens and only found out about the massacre when speaking to other travellers (afterwards).

"She is leaving today to travel to Copenhagen then Sweden and probably reliant upon free internet so we may not hear from her again for a little while."

While Mrs Boland was sure her daughter would look after herself, she was thankful Lucy would soon depart the French capital.

"She did tell me that when a pick pocket stole her phone she pursued them and fought him to get it back so yes, I am relieved to know she is leaving Paris."

Paris attacked

In what is the worst terrorist attack on French soil in more than four decades, the three gunmen stormed the offices of controversial satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and opened fire during an editorial meeting killing 10 journalists.

More than 3000 police hit the streets of Paris in search of the gunmen identified as brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, who are believed to be French nationals of Algerian descent aged in their early 30s, and Hamyd Mourad, 18, whose nationality is unclear.

The hugely popular weekly newspaper has been at the centre of repeated threats over the years around its publication of cartoons poking fun at the Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

More than 100,000 people packed the Place De La Republique in a candlelit vigil as night fell over the French capital in a united show of support for the victims and to denounce terrorism.

The attack comes less than a month after crazed Islamic extremist Man Haron Monis took 18 people hostage in a siege at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney.

The 17-hour siege ended with the death of the cafe's manager Tori Johnson, 34, and hostage Katrina Dawson, 38, and heavily armed police stormed the cafe and killed Monis.