Coordinated explosions and gunfire rocked Paris, killing at least 153 people including concert goers and civilians in various parts of the region.
Mayhem and carnage occurred mainly at the Bataclan concert hall, where a throng of fans had gathered to watch the American heavy metal band Eagles of Death Metal perform.
There were also shootouts elsewhere including the Le Petit Cambodge restaurant on the Rue Bichat, where 14 people died. Explosions also took place near the Stade de France sports stadium.
The death toll as of presstime the morning after reached 153 people. People at the scene of the carnage who were able to escape unscathed related how the terrorists opened fire for several minutes leading to "a bloodbath" and how the assailants who entered the Bataclan concert hall shouted, "Allah akbar," CNN reported.
France President Francois Hollande declared a state of national emergency, mobilized the military, and tightened border controls, The New York Times reported. President Barack Obama, on the other hand, expressed support through a televised address.
An outpouring of messages of sympathy, outrage and support flooded social media. As media entities provided updates,some individuals took to social media to offer prayers and messages of support for the survivors and families of victims. One netizen tweeted that the deadly attacks were horrendous.
Members of the Eagles of Death Metal allayed the fears and concerns of fans by immediately providing an update on their whereabouts and condition. They wrote on their Facebook page that their thoughts were with all the people who were affected by the tragic circumstances.
Eagles of Death Metal drummer Julian Dorio's wife likewise informed media that everyone onstage while the band was performing was able to get off and stay safe. Other individuals milling about in the French capital were not as lucky.