#PorteOuverte begins trending on social media as Paris opens its doors, VIVA La France, we are all with you on this tragic night.
A soldier stands by victims in the 10th district of Paris. Picture: AP Photo/Jacques Brinon
The hashtag, which means open door has been shared widely on Twitter as people try to offer solace and relief among the horror.
Countless residents are posting message using the hashtag, along with their address, to alert people of a safe place to hide.
Amid the ongoing chaos, French citizens have taken to social media to post video and pictures of the incidents taking place around Paris, as authorities try to deal with the ongoing terror attack.
According to a reports by the UK’s Telegraph, supporters of the Islamic State have been celebrating the attacks with their own hashtag that translates to “Paris ignites”.
An IS supporter called al-Mouhed al-Tourkomani wrote: “Allahu Akbar…Allahu Akbar die with your rage, and explode with your defeating.”
The Islamic State at this stage has not claimed responsibility for the attacks but a man arrested during the attacks has claimed to be a member of the group.
As residents seek refuge, popular band Eagles of Death Metal have posted a message on Facebook saying they are trying to determine the location and safety of their band and crew members.
The metal band were playing a gig at the time the attacks broke out. According to Rolling Stone, at least 100 people who attended the gig were killed.
A video posted to YouTube shows the panic and chaos that has descended on the French capital in the past hours.
At least 100 people are dead as authorities continue to deal with an ongoing hostage situation, which has turned deadly, according to reports from CNN.
Prior to the hostage situation developing, French media reported a shooting at a Cambodian restaurant in Paris’ 10th arrondissement, as well as two explosions close to the Stade de France sports stadium, causing serious panic.
Another video posted to the social media shows the aftermath of an explosion at a building in downtown Paris. Stunned residents can be seen approaching the smoking building as police try to clear the crowds away.
This video posted to Instagram is described as showing emergency services responding to the scene at Paris’s 10th arrondissement were the shootout took place.
Players stood in disbelief and fans flooded onto the pitch at full-time of an international soccer fixture between France and Germany. Near the end of the game, explosions could be heard outside the stadium.
As the pitch filled with spectators, authorities tried to gain control and direct them out certain exits.
Under attack … The restaurant where the shooting occurred. Source: TWITTER @SputnikInt
- Multiple shooting attacks have killed at least 158
- Attackers dropped explosives on concert-goers in Bataclan concert hall
- State of emergency as border closed and Paris enacts curfew
- Two terrorists killed as 125 hostages freed
THE Islamic State is believed to be responsible for multiple attacks that killed at least 158 people in Paris on Friday night but no official statement of responsibility has been made.
French authorities have announced that five attackers have been killed by police in attacks across the city.
Police launched an assault on the Bataclan concert hall where hostages were being held, killing at least two two men reportedly armed with Kalashnikovs.
French police say around 118 people were killed inside the concert hall, which suggests the majority of people inside were killed.
People were told to stay off social media so as to not jeopardise the police operation.
The concert hall was packed with people watching the Eagles of Death Metal perform.
Eagles of Death Metal – a blues-rock band from California – have worked with music A-listers including Jack Black and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame.
The band and crew have reportedly not been located. A post on their Facebook page reads:
“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.”
CNN reported hostages were texting that they were being killed one by one and were begging for a police raid.
A reporter described the scene inside as a “bloodbath”.
Another reporter said police described the scene inside the concert hall as “carnage”, explaining the attackers tossed explosives on hostages.
Five explosions were heard from outside the concert hall and shooting of automatic gunfire as police entered the building.
Earlier witnesses told French media they heard 20 shots and saw two men inside the venue.
Earlier police officials reported a shootout in a Paris restaurant and an explosion in a bar near a Paris, causing dozens to be killed.
Carnage … Victims are covered with sheets following shooting in Paris. Source: TWITTER @5h55Source:Supplied
French police confirmed there were two suicide attacks and one bombing near the stadium.
Meanwhile, Reuters is reporting there is a shooting at a shopping centre.
French President Francois Hollande says he is closing the country’s borders and declaring a state of emergency.
It is the first time since the Nazis occupied Paris in 1944 that there has been a curfew in the famous city.
Reports have emerged that the Islamic State has taken responsibility for the attacks. A man arrested earlier in the attacks claimed to be a recruited by the group.
Australian ex-pat Sam Davies, 33, is currently locked in a bar about 300 metres from the attack on the Le Carrillon and Le Petit Cambodg in the 10th arrondissement.
He said most bars in the area had gone into lockdown.
“Everyone is wandering around dazed in a state of shock,” he told News Corp Australia.
Formerly from Melbourne, Mr Davies has lived in Paris for eight years and lives next door to Le Carillon.
He said he was horrified the popular Le Carillon bar and neighbouring Cambodian restaurant were targeted.
“This isn’t a tourist area, this is young, hipsters,” he said.
“It’s the only place in Paris where you can get a good coffee. It’s like Fitzroy in Melbourne.
“It’s really shocking to me, I cannot understand it.”
Hollande, in a televised address to his nation, said the nation would stand firm and united against the attackers.
He said security forces are assaulting one of the sites hit by Friday’s attacks, without elaborating.
“It’s a horror,” he said.
Multiple attacks … More than 140 people are dead.Source:News Corp Australia
It was unclear if the events were linked. But US security officials believe the violent incidents are co-ordinated.
Police say 11 people were killed at the restaurant and another 15 at the Bataclan concert hall in eastern Paris, adding that a hostage crisis was ongoing at the venue.
At least three others were killed in explosions near the stadium just north of Paris, where a France-Germany football match was taking place on Friday night.
There are report of two explosions at the stadium and they have been linked to a suicide bomber.
French President Francois Hollande was at the stadium at the time and quickly removed to safety.
BFM television reports there were several dead in the restaurant shooting in the 10th arrondissement of the capital.
“It lasted terribly long,” said awitness, quoted by the French newspaper Liberation. “He lifted his Kalashnikov, he pulled into the Carillon. We could hear people screaming, you could not hear the shooter“.
An Associated Press reporter in the stadium Friday night heard two explosions loud enough to penetrate the sounds of cheering fans. Sirens were immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.
Hundreds of people spilt onto the field of the Stade de France stadium after the explosions were heard.
A stadium announcer made an announcement over the loudspeaker after the match, telling fans to avoid certain exits “due to events outside,” without elaborating.
The attack comes as France has heightened security measures ahead of a major global climate conference that starts in two weeks, out of fear of violent protests and potential terrorist attacks.
At first that prompted some panic, but then the crowds just walked dazed, hugging each other and looking at their phones for the latest news of the violence.
Many appeared hesitant to leave amid the uncertainty after France’s deadliest attacks in decades.
Emilioi Macchio, from Ravenna, Italy, was at the Carillon bar near the restaurant that was targeted, having a beer on the sidewalk when the shooting started.
He said he didn’t see any gunmen or victims, but hid behind a corner then ran away.
“It sounded like fireworks,” he said.
All on board … Police officers and rescue workers at the Petit Cambodge restaurant.Source:AFP
Former US Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff says it is too early to know exactly what was happening in Paris.
Social media posts from purported ISIS supporters could indicate that “there was a group waiting for this, but it could be a group watching,” Chertoff said in an interview with MSNBC Friday night.
“I don’t think we can say this proves anything, but again it supports the idea that it’s terrorism,” Chertoff said.
John Cohen, a former Homeland Security Department counterterrorism coordinator, say the presence of multiple attack scenes at the same time suggested a coordinated effort to “send a message” and raises immediate terror concerns, including for other cities in Europe and potentially the United States as well.
He said both Al Qaida and ISIS have relied on the strategy of coordinated attacks in the past.
Deadly night … Rescue workers and medics work on victims in a Paris restaurant.Source:AP
World leaders react – “An attack on all of humanity”
President Barack Obama is calling the attacks on Paris “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians” and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
New York went on a heightened state of alert Friday, deploying counter-terrorism police reinforcements to crowded places
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible.
He called the attacks a “heartbreaking situation” and an “attack on all of humanity.”
Obama was briefed on the attacks Friday by his counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco.
The attacks come as the president is preparing for two trips abroad. He’s slated to leave Saturday for a nine-day trip to Turkey, the Philippines and Malaysia.
He due to travel to Paris for climate change talks at the end of the month.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron says he is “shocked” by the Paris attacks and violence.
Cameron said on Twitter “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed solidarity with France.
“I am shocked and saddened that so many people have been killed and injured in violent attacks in Paris,” Trudeau said, offering his condolences.
“Canada stands with France at this dark time and offers all possible assistance.”
France has been on edge since deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in January on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher grocery that left 20 dead, including the three attackers.
The restaurant targeted Friday, Le Carillon, is in the same general neighbourhood as the Charlie Hebdo offices.
The country has seen several smaller-scale attacks or attempts since, including an incident on a high-speed train in August in which American travellers thwarted a heavily armed Islamic radical trying to attack passengers.
More to come
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