Paris terror attacks: Backpacker leaves NZ after sister dies

Jenny Boissinot with her partner at Auckland International Airport to catch a flight to France.

A young French woman who has been backpacking in New Zealand is on her way to Paris following news her sister died in the terror attacks.

Jenny Boissinot, 23, was due to leave last night after receiving a phone call at 4.30am yesterday confirming her older sister Chloe, 25, was among the casualties. Awaiting her flight, Miss Boissinot was comforted by her partner, who was travelling with her.

A friend told the Herald Miss Boissinot had been humbled by the support she had received from Kiwis and people from around the world.

Chloe Boissinot, left and her sister Jenny. Chloe was one of the victims of the terror attack on the Paris restaurant Le Petit Cambodge. Photos / Supplied

"She's very distraught, as you can imagine," friend Patrick Clairet said. "The main people she wants to see now are her family who are in France."

Mr Clairet said friends here had rallied to support her when news of the attacks came. It was not yet clear what had happened to Chloe Boissinot, who was shot while dining at the Le Petit Cambodge restaurant with her boyfriend.

It is understood Chloe Boissinot died at the scene. Mr Clairet said a friend of Chloe Boissinot's was the last to see her as he fled from the restaurant.

Miss Boissinot, who has been in the country for the past two months, had been waiting to hear from family in Paris about the whereabouts of her older sister since learning of the attacks. In the confusion, terror and panic the couple became separated. Chloe Boissinot's partner was himself shot in the hand and taken to hospital.

Miss Boissinot and her mother, Elisabeth, posted of their loss on Facebook and how Chloe's life had been taken after being shot.

"Thank you all for your support," Mrs Boissinot's translated post read. "Farewell my little heart ... my love, my life."