Multiple terrorist attacks today in Paris, France resulted in the deaths of more than 150 people. The official numbers are fluid, with various estimates currently being between 140 and 160. At this time, 6 separate attacks are known.
President Francois Hollande said France is closing its borders, so anyone involved in these attacks cannot escape. This means they are implementing border controls, not actually closing the borders. He also called a state of emergency across France.
The French President and some of his cabinet ministers came out onto the streets of Paris to show solidarity with the people.
At least some of the terrorists were wearing suicide belts. It has been reported that one was shot dead, but some had exploded their suicide belts.
Most of the dead – more than 100 – were attending a concert at the Bataclan theatre on Friday night.
The Bataclan is a theater and concert hall in the 11th district of Paris.
The French have a lot of experience with terrorists, and two hours after the terrorists started taking hostages in the concert hall, French police started a raid. Shortly after that, three of the terrorists detonated their explosive vests. It was just after midnight, around 12:30 a.m.
The concert hall was not the only location attacked. There were also reports of attacks on restaurants and bars.
CNN reported that they were told by someone attending the concert that “two terrorists entered the Bataclan and began firing randomly at people for ten minutes.”
“They didn’t shout anything. They didn’t say anything,” Julien Pearce said. “They were in masks and wearing black clothes and they were shooting at people on the floor, executing them.”
Two of the restaurants attacked were Le Petit Cambodge and Le Carillon.
14 people were killed in one restaurant and 12 at a bar.
North of Paris, a soccer match between France and Germany was in progress at the Stade de France. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside the stadium. Three people were reported killed. The ground was evacuated, after the game ended. The crowd was estimated at 80,000 people.
The U.S. embassy in Paris is making efforts to account for the welfare of known American citizens in the city.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said around 2,500 Australians were known to be in Paris at this time, but there may be at least 1,000 more, and Australians should contact the Australian Embassy to tell them about their status.
From the State Department, Secretary John Kerry sais “We stand with the French people tonight, as our peoples have always stood together in our darkest hours. These terrorist attacks will only deepen our shared resolve.”
UPDATE: There were 8 attackers, all with suicide vests. One was shot dead. The other 7 exploded their suicide vests.
Earlier reports said 100 people died in the Bataclan theatre. New updates say there may be 70 killed, but there are many injured, some seriously injured, but still alive at this time. One estimate of the injured is 200, with 70 of those “very seriously injured.”
1500 French soldiers have been deployed in various places. There are 36 hospitals taking care of those injured or wounded.
