At least 129 people have been killed and many more injured in a series of attacks that struck Paris late on Friday.
French officials downgraded the number of people killed from the highest estimate of 153 to 129 by Monday.
In the deadliest of multiple attacks around the French capital, at least 87 people were reportedly killed after being taken hostage at the Bataclan Concert Hall, according to French police.
#BREAKING Around 100 dead in attack on Paris concert venue: police
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 14, 2015
BREAKING: French police official says at least 100 people killed inside Paris concert hall where attackers seized hostages.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 14, 2015
An unknown number of assailants also opened fire on civilians at two separate restaurants, all located within a mile of each other and the Bataclan.
At least one other shooting was reported within an hour of the first three near the Louvre museum.
Sources tell Agence France-Presse that attacks occurred at seven different locations around Paris.
#BREAKING Attacks in Paris took place at seven locations: security source
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 13, 2015
Five attackers may have been killed in attacks on Paris, reports the AP. No individual or group has so far taken credit for the attacks, which appear to be connected, as of 2am in Paris.
BREAKING: Paris prosecutor says 5 attackers may be dead in attacks across city.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 14, 2015
Roughly a mile from one shooting in the 10th arrondissement—one of 20 districts that make up France’s capital—there was one bombing near the Stade de France stadium, prompting the evacuation of President François Hollande from a France-Germany soccer match.
French police officials have confirmed the bombing near the stadium, as well as two separate suicide attacks, according to the Associated Press.
https://vine.co/v/iBb2x00UVlv
Look at that pic. Stade de France being evacuated. @akhbar #parisattack pic.twitter.com/qWPo7WzD1v
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) November 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/Breaking3zero/status/665282134718869504
The hostage situation occurred roughly four miles from the stadium, at the Bataclan Concert Hall, a 19th-century cafe and theater, according to Agence France-Presse. Police officials told the AP that there were approximately 100 hostages in the Bataclan, and at least 35 people have been killed.
BREAKING: 2 confirmed attacks 1KM apart at the #Bataclan concert hall & a restaurant in the 10th district. pic.twitter.com/n1Fuagrixf
— Tom in Paris (@Tburgeswatson) November 13, 2015
BREAKING: Police official: Around 100 hostages taken at Paris theater; 35 dead.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 13, 2015
At approximately 12:30am local time, police stormed the Bataclan, according to AFP. The siege ended roughly 30 minutes later, and the hostages have been released, according to AP. At least two of the attackers were killed.
#BREAKING Police storm Paris concert hall where hostages held: security source
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 13, 2015
The Eagles of Death Metal, an American band, were playing the Bataclan when the hostage situation began. Some of the band members and crew have escaped and are currently safe, according to the Washington Post. Others are still missing, according to a post on the band’s Facebook page.
Eagles of Death Metal/Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/p/-CduGpqq9D/
With more than three dozen declared dead, Friday’s siege represents the largest terrorist attack on the city of Paris in modern history, surpassing the 1961 Vitry-Le-François train bombing, which claimed the lives of 28 people.
In a statement issued near midnight local time, President Hollande has declared a state of emergency and ordered all of France’s borders closed.
BREAKING: Hollande decides state of emergency for all of France, borders closed. https://t.co/NT2FjHuz3z pic.twitter.com/i1rvNIAA3a
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 13, 2015
At the White House on Friday evening, President Barack Obama offered his support to the people of France, and he vowed that the United States would help the French government fight terrorism. He called the attacks an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians.”
“This is an attack not just on Paris, it is an attack not just on the people of France, but it is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share,” Obama said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3o8h9bW9Zs
Paris authorities have instituted a curfew on the city for the fourth time since World War II.
Final update 2:46pm CT, Nov. 16: Most recent death toll numbers updated.
Photo via photographerglen/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
