multiple shootings and explosions in the French capital Paris
Terrorist attacks in the French capital Paris
At least 140 people have been killed in multiple shootings and explosions in the French capital Paris, local media reports say.
A gunman opened fire at the Petit Cambodge restaurant in the city’s 11th district on Friday night, killing four people, Liberation daily reported.
Citing an eyewitness, the newspaper said that at least 100 rounds were fired at the restaurant.
Another shooting took place near the Bataclan arts center, where French police said 100 people were being held hostage and 15 people were killed.
According to French media, security forces killed two attackers at the concert hall after storming the place to rescue the hostages.
Three explosions near Stade de France, the country's national stadium just north of Paris, are also reported to have left several people dead and injured.
French President Francois Hollande was reportedly present at the time of the explosions near the stadium, where France were hosting Germany, but he was evacuated to safety before holding crisis talks with Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve at the Interior Ministry building.
Unconfirmed reports said another shooting attack took place at Les Halles, a shopping center in central Paris.
Government officials and police in Paris have advised residents to stay indoors.
Blasts during the match
The explosions near the stadium could be heard inside during the match as they happened in the first half, but the match was not stopped. France beat Germany 2-0 in a game overshadowed by the terrifying violence.
State of emergency
In a brief televised statement, Hollande said two major decisions had been made and a cabinet meeting had been called.
Pointing to the first decision, he said, "A state of emergency will be declared,” adding, “The second measure will be the closure of national borders."
"We must ensure that no one comes in to commit any act whatsoever, and at the same time make sure that those who have committed these crimes should be arrested if they try to leave the country,” the French president noted.
Attack on all of humanity: Obama
At a press conference at the White House, US President Barack Obama said his administration is ready to aid France and penalize the perpetrators of the violence.
"We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and the people of France need," Obama said, pledging to "bring these terrorists to justice and go after any terrorist networks" involved.
He also described the series of deadly incidents across Paris as an "attack on all of humanity”.
"Those who think that they can terrorize the people of France or the values that they stand for are wrong," the US president noted.
This story is being updated.
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