Over 150 killed as Paris rocked by coordinated shootings, explosions

13 Nov, 2015 21:07 / Updated 9 years ago

A series of apparently coordinated attacks have rocked central Paris, resulting in at least 150 deaths. Aside from several separate shootings, police also confirmed explosions near a Paris stadium, and a now resolved hostage situation.

At least six separate violent incidents have taken place in Paris on Friday night, including several shootings and explosions. The death toll could be in excess of 150 people, according to latest reports.

Gunfire near a restaurant, not far from Bichat street, killed at least 14 and injured almost two dozen people, according to Le Parisien.

LIVE UPDATES: Many killed and injured in coordinated Parist attacks, hostages taken

The attack happened at the restaurant's terrace, according to witnesses who said numerous shots were fired and described the scene as a “nightmare.”

Over 100 people are believed to have been killed when a group of at least four terrorists raided the Bataclan theater on 50 Boulevard Voltaire in the 11th department of Paris. The attackers took scores of people hostage.

READ MORE: Bataclan concert hall siege leaves 100 hostages dead, 4 terrorists ‘neutralized’

When the police eventually stormed the building, the terrorists reportedly detonated their suicide vests. Dozens of injured hostages were rushed to city hospitals.

Simultaneously, a shooting and several explosions were reported near the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis. Police cordoned off the area and evacuated the arena, which was hosting a football friendly match between France and Germany, attended by the French President Francois Hollande.

At least four people were killed and 50 injured, including 11 critically, by the blasts, which were believed to be suicide bombings.

The President was rushed out of the stadium to personally deal with the emergency situation that unfolded.

Another four people were reported killed and 21 wounded, almost a dozen critically, at Avenue de la Republique.

A shooting at Charonne street claimed 19 lives, while 23 people were injured, Le Parisien reported.

More violence was reported at Boulevard Beaumarchais, where seven people were injured, including 3 critically.

Amid the “unprecedented terrorist attacks” that have resulted in dozens of deaths, French President Francois Hollande has declared a state of emergency and announced that France will close its borders.

READ MORE: ‘Unprecedented terrorist attacks’: French President declares state of emergency, closes borders