AT LEAST 127 people have been killed and 99 left critically injured during a series of horrifying terror attacks carried out by Islamic State (ISIS) fighters across Paris.
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| At least 128 people have been killed in Paris |
He said the coordinated shootings and bombings were planned and organised by terrorists abroad but with help from sleeper cells inside France, and vowed a "merciless" fight to defeat those responsible.
ISIS later claimed in an online statement that it was behind the attacks.
The depraved terror group said the assault was in response to insults of the Prophet Muhammad and airstrikes on Syria and Iraq.
The statement, which has not been independently verified, was made in French and Arabic and added that France would remain a top target as long as it continued its bombing of targets in the Middle East.
They were slaughtered inside the building before police closed in on the gunmen.
Seven of the terrorists, who had earlier sprayed gunfire on cafes before entering the venue, then blew themselves up with suicide belts.
An eighth gunman was shot dead by police but the city's prosecutor said it is possible there are still terrorists on the run.
As many as 18 people died when the terrace of the Rue de Charonne was sprayed with gunfire, while around 14 people were killed when Le Carillon bar-cafe, and the nearby Cambodian restaurant Le Petit Cambodge, were also shot at.
Security has been stepped up and border control checks re-imposed after the attacks, which Mr Hollande described as an "abomination".
It is understood to be the deadliest night of violence in Paris since the Second World War, and the worst terror attack in Europe since the Madrid bombings in 2004.
Parisians have been asked to donate blood as hospital across the city rush to treat victims in critical condition.
Demonstrations in public places have been postponed to ensure public safety, while the city remains under lockdown.
The Foreign Office said it was in "close touch" with the French authorities and it was "urgently investigating" whether there were any British victims.
Prime Minister David Cameron will chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee today following the attacks.
Mr Hollande described the events as "terror attacks on an unprecedented level".
During a visit to the theatre in the early hours Mr Hollande, who has cancelled his trip to the G-20 meeting in Turkey, he said: ”We will lead the fight. We will be merciless.”
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The rock band Eagles of Death Metal were performing a sold-out concert at the theatre.
The bandmates – who include Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age – were among those who were being held hostages but reports suggest they are now safe.
An unverified Facebook post wrote of the terrorists' siege: "There are still survivors inside the Bataclan. They're killing everyone one-by-one."
Automatic gunfire was heard outside the theatre where the hostages were being held.
Images on social media showed two men being ushered away from the theatre with blood clearly visible on their shirts.
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| Forensics teams assess the damage at the French bar where 40 were killed |
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| Hollande spoke near the concert hall where around 80 were said to have been killed |
More than 200 people have also been injured, with scores of them critical.
Paris is in lockdown as President Hollande has declared a state of emergency, closing the country's borders.
He said: "France must be strong in the face of terrorism."
"Terrorist attacks are taking place in Paris. It's a horror. We have mobilised all possible forces."
France will also observe three days of national mourning.
A cabinet meeting will take place shortly and the French army has been mobilised, with 1,500 soldiers sent to the capital.
The UK Foreign Office has warned Britons in the French capital to "exercise caution" in the wake of the attacks.
Crystal Palace defender Martin Kelly was said to have been in the restaurant where the shooting took place. He is understood to be safe.
A shocked eyewitness known only as Louis told French media about the restaurant shooting: "The men came in and started shooting. Everyone fell to the ground. It was hell.
"I took my mum, and we hid. Someone near us said they have gone, so we ran out. I was only thinking of escaping.
"We're out now. I think people are still inside. It's a nightmare - a nightmare."
Eyewitness Ben Grant said he was in a bar with his wife when the gunshots were fired and he had seen six or seven bodies on the ground.
He said: "I was told people in cars had opened fire on the bar. There are lots of dead people. It's pretty horrific to be honest.
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"I was at the back of the bar. I couldn't see anything. I heard gunshots. People dropped to the ground. We put a table over our heads to protect us.
"We were held up in the bar because there was a pile of bodies in front of us."
This is understood to be a suicide bombing.
A separate suicide bombing was carried out around a minute later near the stadium in the north of Paris.
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| Injured people from the restaurant shooting are carried into ambulances |
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| Survivors are ushered away from the scene of the restaurant attack |
Three people are said to have been killed in the explosions.
Mr Hollande was at the stadium during the time of the explosion and was quickly escorted away.
An official said the explosions were loud enough to penetrate the sounds of cheering fans.
Sirens were then immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.
Witness Fabien Baron said: "I was on my way to my sister's when I heard shots being fired.
"Then I saw three people dead on the ground, I know they were dead because they were being wrapped up in plastic bags."
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| Fans gather on the pitch at the Stade de France after hearing the shocking news |
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| Fans heard two explosions nearby to the stadium |
The Jungle migrant camp in Calais was also set on fire.
Islamic State jihadis on Twitter have been seen celebrating the attacks.
Paris schools, museums, libraries, gyms, swimming pools and markets will close on Saturday as well as Disneyland Paris to the east of the city.
Reports have also emerged that a former Charlie Hebdo writer who was caught up in the terror attack at the satirical magazine in January was among the first at the scene to help victims.
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| President Hollande said it was a night of 'unprecedented terror' |
The British ISIS militant known as Mohammed Emwazi was “eviscerated” in the strikes as he left a building in the depraved terror group's stronghold of Raqqa.
American president Barack Obama said in a statement: "We've seen an outrageous attempt to terrorise 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."
He added: "My thoughts are with the victims in Paris tonight. We stand in solidarity with the French. Such acts are heinous and immoral."
BREAKING: Eiffel Tower has gone dark - @ksatnews pic.twitter.com/g4MGaMjXJZ
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) November 14, 2015
The One World Trade Center spire was lit blue, white and red in honour of those killed in the attacks.
The
408-foot spire will be lit in tribute for the days to come. The city's
governor said the act shows New York will stand with the people of
France.
New York City is now on alert following the attacks in
Paris but the US Department of Homeland said there was no specific or
direct threat.
David Cameron
tweeted: "I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help."
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond added: "Deeply shocked by appalling attacks in #Paris tonight.
"My thoughts are w/ victims & their loved ones. Concerned by reports of hostages taken."
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also cancelled upcoming trips to France and Italy.
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| Blood on the ground by the Bataclan concert hall |
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| Forensic police roll up a forensic studies enclosure at the Rue de Charonne in Paris |
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| The covered body of a dead person is pictured at the Rue de Charonne in Paris |
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| Police work on the scene of one the shootings that took place at the Cafe Comptoir Voltaire |
In January, 12 people were killed after gunmen stormed the Paris offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
In June, France launched a terrorism investigation after police found a decapitated body in a gas factory in the south-eastern city of Lyon.
Two months later three Americans and one Briton were awarded medals for bravery after they overpowered a heavily armed gunman on a Paris-bound train.
The Foreign Office said anyone concerned about relatives in Paris are urged to call 00 33 144 51 3100.
PM:
I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are
with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) November 13, 2015
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| A policeman patrols near the Bataclan concert hall in Paris |
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| A woman mourns outside of the Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris |
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| A woman kneels down as flowers are laid in front of the French embassy in Rome |
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