Charlie Hebdo: Where to read first edition since Paris terror attacks

As many as 3 million copies of the special issue are to be printed in France

A man takes part in a Unity rally in tribute to the 17 victims of a three-day killing spree by extremist Islamists. (LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images)

The first issue of Charlie Hebdo to be created since its offices were targeted by terrorists last week will hit shelves across the world on Wednesday.

As many as 12 people died in the tragic attack last Wednesday, including eight journalists who worked for the publication.

Since Friday, surviving team members of the controversial satirical magazine have been using the offices of French daily Libération to compile the edition dubbed the 'survivors issue'.

Pulling no punches, its front page will feature a cartoon of the Prophet Mohamed with a tear streaming down his cheek, holding a sign reading “Je suis Charlie” – the phrase which has been used around the world as a show of unity with victims.

Up to three million copies of the edition will be printed in France ahead of Wednesday’s release – a huge boost compared with the magazine’s regular run of 60,000 copies.

It is thought 25 countries in total will receive French-language versions. The French edition will in turn be translated into English, Spanish and Arabic copies which will be available in Italy and Turkey.

A PDF version will also be made available to download in French, English, Spanish and Arabic from Wednesday morning.

The historic issue will receive a limited sale in the UK, amid concerns that the number of editions being sent to Britain will not meet the expected demand.

A spokesman for newspaper and magazine wholesaler Smiths News said: “We are due to get a very limited supply of the title but full details are yet to be confirmed.”

The wholesaler indicated that it expected to receive around 1,000 copies.

Smiths News distributes a range of print media to 30,000 customers, ranging from large general retailers to smaller independent newsagents.

Menzies Distribution will also make copies available. A spokesman said: “I can confirm that Menzies Distribution will handle supplies of the upcoming Charlie Hebdo special edition. We don't expect to face particular security issues, but we will take whatever precautions our security team believe are sensible to ensure the safety of our employees.

“As the allocation process is still ongoing - and we don't know for certain our supply from the distributor - I'm unable to comment on the type of customers likely to receive copies.”

A spokesman for distributors Comag said the firm will also be involved in the distribution of the magazine but would not be handling a lot of copies. The spokesman said some customers would want more but he did not think the company would “be able to satisfy that”.

He added that customers interested in receiving the magazine are “specialist retailers, not newsagents.” No-one at the firm had indicated any worries about security, he added.