Crazy story out of Paris right now. Multiple attacks took place across concert halls in Paris. Gunmen took hostages and there are at least 60 reported fatalities.
It’s insane. The facts are coming left and right, but here’s some of them.
Accoridng to CNN:
At least six shootings took place in Paris and three explosions took place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis late Friday, CNN affiliate BFMTV said. Two or three gunmen entered the Bataclan concert hall while opening fire on law enforcement, BFMTV reported. A source earlier told CNN there were six to eight hostage takers, citing a person they were talking to inside the venue.
Paris police tell CNN there were three attacks. Attackers reportedly used AK-47 automatic weapons.
Stereogum reports hostages have been taken at an Eagle of Death Metal concert where they’re performing at the Bataclan concert hall.
According to the Washington Post,
A police official said 11 people were killed in a Paris restaurant in the 10th arrondissement, and others said at least twice that number died elsewhere, primarily in the Bataclan concert hall, where the hostages were taken. It was unclear how many people were in the hall; one official said there were around 100 while another said there were far fewer.
Some of the aftermath on social media.
Shots of the Eagles of Death metal concert prior to the shooting:
More details to come.
Update (11/13/15 15:43 PST):
French president Hollande declares a state of emergency in France and has closed all borders.
Police have stormed the Bataclan.
Update (11/13/15 15:52 PST):
Eagles of Death metal, the band performing at Bataclan Hall in Paris, are safe according to French group, Red Lemons’ Facebook.
France’s state of emergency the first declaration since 1945, which was World War II.
Two attackers killed after police storm the Bataclan Hall.
Updated (11/13/15 16:04 PST):
Eagles of Death metal issued a statement on Facebook. Sounds like they aren’t 100% out of the woods.
We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation.
Pictures from the attacks:
Bataclan esté a tan sólo 500 metros de la sede de Charlie Hebdo, atacada en enero https://t.co/xzLoN78rL9 pic.twitter.com/AKvH8t1JM6
— El Fantasma (@Fantasma_956) November 14, 2015
Paris Attacks Kill Dozens in Night of Deadly Terror via @nytimes #ParisAttacks #bataclan #fusillade pic.twitter.com/zMTBR3LiOi
— Marc Gozlan (@MarcGozlan) November 14, 2015
Update (11/13/15 16:12 PST):
More on the Bataclan Concert Hall attack. According to AP,
The AP is now citing two Paris police officials as saying that security forces have ended their assault on the Bataclan, killing at least two attackers. Neither official could be named, citing ongoing operations throughout the city.
According to the agency, one official described “carnage” inside the building, saying the attackers had tossed explosives at the hostages. Both officials said they expected the toll of victims to rise.
Update (11/13/15 16:20 PST):
More photo and video from Bataclan Concert Hall. Hostages leave the Bataclan.
🔴 ALERTE – Bilan de plusieurs dizaines de morts au #Bataclan selon l'AFP https://t.co/fTS4o8Tt0h #fusillade #Paris pic.twitter.com/dDE4sigK8F
— Le Figaro (@Le_Figaro) November 14, 2015
Police say death toll will undoubtedly rise at the Bataclan due to explosives thrown at hostages.
Facebook launches Facebook page, Paris Terror Attacks, that lets those in Paris check-in and let friends and family know they’re safe.
Update (11/13/15 16:36 PM):
Police have gone through the Bataclan and report more than 100 dead.
Update (11/13/15 16:43 PM):
According to a Paris city hall official via Reuters, death toll at the Bataclan now rises to 140.
Update (11/13/15 18:03 PM):
Four police died in the storming at Bataclan, three terrorists killed.
Police presence heavy around Paris.
PHOTO: Heavily armed police surround Notre Dame #ParisAttacks – @BILD pic.twitter.com/qM4Uudrc4I
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) November 14, 2015
Update (11/13/15 18:50 PM):
According to the Guardian, all the attackers are dead. Umm… really?
The Paris police prefect has now confirmed that the attackers at the Bataclan rock venue blew themselves up with suicide belts as police closed in, killing four.
He said the gunmen first sprayed cafes outside the venue with machine gunfire, then went inside the concert hall and killed more before the assault by security forces.
The prefect, Michel Cadot, said one set of attackers was at the Stade de France, and at nearly the same time the second group attacked within the city.
Cadot said all the attackers are believed dead, although authorities are hunting for any possible accomplices.
(Header image courtesy of Instagram/french.adventurer)