The Terror Attacks in Paris: Live Updates

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the multiple attacks in Paris on Friday that left at least 127 people dead and another 200 wounded. The coordinated shootings and bomb attacks occurred in an estimated seven locations, including outside the Stade de France stadium and the popular Bataclan Concert Hall.

French President François Hollande on Saturday declared thatt he country would pursue and attack ISIS ‘without mercy,” declaring that the attacks were "an act of war that was prepared, organized, planned from abroad with internal help." Hollande has declared three days of mourning in France.

It appears that the majority of those killed were in the concert hall, where approximately 100 people were taken hostage before French police stormed the building.

On Saturday, Parisians waited in long lines at blood donation centers and hospitals across the city, eager to contribute something to the stricketn city. Even as the tragic news continues to develop, people around the globe have taken to social media to express their horror and sympathies with those affected. Parisians have turned to twitter, using the #portesouvertes hashtag to offer shelter to those stranded in the city or simply looking for a safe place to spend the night.

UPDATE 8:05 AM PST

Reuters is reporting that the COP21 global climate change summit planned for Paris later this month will proceed, although security could be boosted. A source tells Reuters that cancelling the summit “is in no way under consideration.”

UPDATE 7:45 AM PST

Europeans are turning out in the thousands to express sympathy and solidarity with the French. Agence France-Presse correspondent Deborah Cole tweeted a photo from Berlin’s Pariser Platz (Paris Square) showing Berliners laying flowers at an impromptu memorial in front of the French embassy. Meanwhile, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière is warning against linking the attacks to the curernt migrant crisis in Europe (a warning that came too late for some, including former Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich).

UPDATE 7:30 AM PST

French President François Hollande has said the attacks were carried out with “intenal help,” and the Associated Press now reports that French police have identified one of the bombing suspects as a Frenchman “flagged for links with Islamic extremism.”

UPDATE 5:30 AM PST

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the bloody attacks in Paris Friday night, with SITE intelligence group reporting “coordinated celebration” from the group’s supporters on social media. Immediately after the attacks, many officials pointed to al-Qaida as the most likely perpetrator, as the Islamic State has previously not shown the sophistication to pull off such a coordinated attack. But security experts are questioning if the assault, which President Hollande is calling an “act of war,” was directed by ISIS itself or was an independent act of homegrown terrorism.

Two French Police officials have stated that a Syrian passport was found on the body of one of the attackers, and early reports claim a man arrested in Bavaria last week with guns and explosives may have been linked to the Paris terror plot, though the connection remains unsubstantiated. French authorities continue their investigation into possible accomplices.

Early Saturday morning social media rumors of further gunshots and explosions caused consternation and fear, but were determined to be firecrackers at a wedding celebration.

UPDATE 5:00 AM PST

France remains in a state of emergency Saturday morning, as President Hollande and the rest of the French government hold an impromptu meeting to weigh their response to the attacks. Increased security measures are in effect countrywide, and officials say that no public demonstrations will be held in Paris today. The French government released a video of the flag flying at half-mast over Elysee.

Morning reports have the death toll in Paris at 127, with about 200 wounded. Eight attackers have been reported killed by French authorities. French journalist Grégory Dominé tweeted a picture of Parisians lined up to give blood late last night and organization Don Du Sang tweeted that those looking to give blood can use the group’s app to find where they are needed. France’s iTélé has released a video of a man named Sylvestre, who claims his life was saved when his phone stopped a bullet from assailants.

UPDATE 10:42 PM PST

The Associated Press details the deadliest terror attacks in Western Europe before the attacks in Paris.

The Associated Press

UPDATE 10:40 PM PST

Authorities in Paris say the city’s amenities will be closed on Saturday, including schools, museums, libraries, gyms, pools and markets.

UPDATE 10:28 PM PST

Agence France-Press reports that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who has cancelled a planned trip to France, has decried the attacks in Paris.

UPDATE 10:18 PM PST

The BBC provides a quick visual roundup of the Saturday front pages of major French dailies, showing how the nation’s media are reporting on the horrible events in Paris.

BBC News

UPDATE 8:41 PM PST

A group of French students gathered in New York City's Union Square on Friday evening to express their solidarity, singing the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," in this video posted to Twitter by Mashable editor Brian Ries.

Video of French exchange students signing together in NY's Union Square. Candles burning at center. #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/WCxWK8L1mu

— Brian Ries (@moneyries) November 14, 2015\n

UPDATE 8:28 PM PST

The Associated Press reports that survivors of the attack on the Bataclan concert hall, where more than 100 people were killed, have been taken to a special crisis center “for psychological support.”

Those who survived an attack on a Paris concert venue physically unscathed have been bused to a special crisis center for psychological support.

Some walked in dazed, their shoulders draped with emergency blankets.

Dozens of emergency workers and Red Cross workers in orange vests gathered in front of the building, the headquarters of Paris' 11th arrondissement, or district. A few police officers in bullet-proof vests stood nearby.

After meeting with counselors, some survivors were put in taxis to head home.

UPDATE 8:08 PM PST

Unlike so many other past terror attacks, early reports seem to indicate that government officials had no warning of the assaults in Paris today. The Associated Press reports that U.S. government officials say they were not aware of any "chatter" in the days or weeks leading up today's events as law enforcement officials around the world continue to investigate who was behind the attack.

UPDATE 8:02 PM PST

Bill Maher isn't exactly renowned for his softer side. However, the "Real Time" host opened his Friday night monologue by breaking into the French national anthem before declaring, "We're with you." He quickly moved back into more comfortable territory, mocking the apparent death of "Jihadi John" during a recent U.S. airstrike ordered by President Obama and warning terrorists, "do not cross a black cat on Friday the 13th." But for one fleeing moment he showed even comedians with the thickest skin has a soft spot in times of tragedy.

UPDATE AT 7:19 PM PST

Obviously, the worst number in any terror attack is the one counting those killed. But the assault on citizens in Paris has extended beyond the 150+ murdered, as AFP notes.

UPDATE AT 6:42 PM PST

The Associated Press reports that a Paris police official says they beleive all of the attackers in today’s terrorist event have been killed though law enforcement officials are still reportedly searching for potential accomplices.

UPDATE AT 6:39 PM PST

The French Ministry of the Interior has launched a new site for gathering information and security tips about the attacks.

UPDATE AT 6:34 PM PST

Today’s horriffic terror attacks in Paris are already affecting the U.S. presidential election. CBS News announced they are actively revamping Saturday’s Democratic presidential debate to reflect today’s events. The debate will still go on, but topics that were expected to include questions over gun control, taxes and reproductive rights could be shifted in favor of foreign policy and national security questions tied to Paris.

UPDATE AT 6:07 PM PST

CNN reports that five suspected attackers have been “neutralized” by French law enforcement officials but that a number of gunmen are still at large.

UPDATE AT 6:00 PM PST

NBC reporter Mike Valerio confirms that statistically the attacks in Paris is the deadliest terror attack on the West since 9/11. Additional reports note it is the largest act of violence in France since the end of World War II and the first time Paris has been hit by a suicide bomber.

UPDATE AT 5:55 PM PST

French President François Hollande has posted an update to his Facebook page, declaring that France will “mobilize its forces” and “once again will defeat the terrorists.”

UPDATE AT 5:30 PM PST

Safe havens in Paris tonight open their doors and arms to those seeking refuge in the city.

UPDATE AT 5:28 PM PST

The Los Angeles Times reports that all members of the band Eagles of Death Metal are safe and accounted for. However, the band is reportedly still unable to account for the status of at least two crew members who were inside the Bataclan Concert Hall at the time of today's terrorist attack that left at least 100 individuals dead inside the venue.

UPDATE AT 5:23 PM PST

Republican Presidential candidate Ben Carson appeared ill-prepared when asked how he would respond to the Paris attacks if he were president. As The Daily Best reports, Carson said he would use "things that they don't know about resources" to fight terrorists.

UPDATE AT 5:19 PM PST

An update from BBC Europe correspondent Damian Grammaticas: Several dozen people reportedly survived the bloodshed inside the Paris concert hall stormed by police.

UPDATE AT 4:57 PM PST

A Paris city hall official places the death toll at 140.

UPDATE AT 4:41 PM PST

French President François Hollande has reportedly arrived at the Bataclan Concert Hall, scene of the largest of multiple attacks in Paris tonight that left at least 100 dead within the concert hall alone.

UPDATE AT 4:38 PM PST

The predictable political reaction from U.S. conservative talking heads has already begun, with Newt Gingrich taking to Twitter to link the Paris attacks with the Syrian refugee crisis:

UPDATE AT 4:16 PM PST

Agence France-Presse has drastically upped the death toll of tonight's terrorist attack, now reporting that at least 100 people have been killed inside the Bataclan Concert Hall.

UPDATE AT 4:14 PM PST

The band that was playing at the concert hall—the Eagles of Death Metal—take to Facebook in an effort to determine the safety of their band and crew members.

UPDATE AT 4:12 PM PST

Facebook has added a “safety check” feature, allowing people in the affected areas to mark themselves “safe”, letting their friends and family know they’re out of harm’s way.

UPDATE AT 4:09 PM PST

New York is increasing police presence around crowded city areas, advising an “abundance of caution” in the wake of the Paris attacks.

UPDATE AT 3:54 PM PST

Paris law enforcement officials have been racing to get people off the streets following the attacks, asking local residents to open their homes to the thousands of spectators fleeing from Paris stadium in the aftermath of the attacks. Even in a time of tragedy, small moments of generosity can stand out. For example, Paris taxis have reportedly turned off their meters and are giving people free rides home.

UPDATE AT 3:49 PM PST

The Associated Press reports that the French assault on the Bataclan Concert Hall is over with at least two attackers having been killed.

UPDATE AT 3:46 PM PST

President François Hollande has deployed the French military, and a French police official has confirmed two suicide attacks and one bombing near the Stade de France stadium. On-air, French journalists have called the unprecedented attacks “France’s 9/11.”

French journalist Alice Darfeuille tweeted this photo of military enforcements arriving in Paris neighborhoods.

UPDATE AT 3:42 PM PST

Agence France-Presse is reporting that police are storming the concert hall where hostages are being held.

UPDATE AT 3:35 PM PST

Excerpts from President Obama’s comments at the White House:

“Paris itself represents the timeless values of human progress. Those who think they can terrorise the people of France or the values they stand for are wrong. It endures beyond terrorism and beyond those who are committed to these whose hateful vision were perpetrated this evening. We will do whatever we can to work with the French people to bring these terrorists to justice”

“We have been working with French people to offer our prayers to those wounded."

Watch the full statement from @POTUS on the attacks in Paris. https://t.co/yQThOvrdxZ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 13, 2015\n

UPDATE AT 3:28 PM PST

Parisians are using the hashtag #PorteOuverte to offer people a safe place to stay as the city shuts down.

UPDATE AT 3:22 PM PST

A Vine user who was in attendance at the friendly France-Germany soccer game at the Stade de France stadium captured this moment, when bombs exploded just outside the stadium.