Here is all you need to know about the Paris attacks
There were attacks at several restaurants, the Bataclan Arts Centre and outside a stadium called Stade de France, where France were playing Germany in a football game.
Gunmen and suicide bombers attacked restaurants, a concert hall and a sports stadium at locations across Paris late on Friday night, killing at least 153 people in the deadliest attack on French soil ever.
Here's all you need to know about the attacks:
Where did the attacks take place?
There were attacks at several restaurants, the Bataclan Arts Centre and outside a stadium called Stade de France. Two explosions were heard near the Stade de France in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis, where the France-Germany friendly soccer match was being played.
The Bataclan hall is just a few hundred metres from the former offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, which was the target of a deadly attack by Islamist gunmen in January.
A witness said to international media that the detonations blew people into the air outside a McDonald's restaurant opposite the Stade de France stadium.
How many people have died?
At least 153 people are reported dead. The maximum carnage took place at the Bataclan centre where at least 120 have been killed.
When did the attacks begin?
The attacks began around 9:15 pm GMT, and there were 3 attacks by 9:40 pm.
Who were the attackers?
The attackers' identity is not well known, but there were 2 suicide bombers who detonated outside the Stade de France. Six other attackers have bee killed by French police.
However, it is reported that ISIS supporters have been hailing the attacks on Twitter under the hashtag #Parisinflames.
Soldiers walk in front of an ambulance as rescue workers evacuate victims near La Belle Equipe, rue de Charonne. (AFP)
What action has the French government taken?
"This is a horror," the visibly shaken president said in a midnight television address to the nation before chairing an emergency cabinet meeting.
France has declared a national emergency and closed its borders. Lakhs of security personnel have been deployed in the country. President Francois Hollande has canceled his trip for the G20 summit at Antalya, Turkey.
The Paris metro railway has been closed and schools, universities and municipal buildings were ordered to stay shut on Saturday. However some rail and air services are expected to run.
All emergency services have been mobilised, police leave has been cancelled, 1,500 army reinforcements have been drafted into the Paris region and hospitals have recalled staff to cope with the casualties.
What was the motive for the attack on Paris?
This is a difficult question since we are unsure about the identity of the attackers yet, but the attackers seem to have shouted 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Great) before shooting people dead at the Bataclan centre. This points to Islamists carrying out the attacks.
Moreover, a gunman at Bataclan centre yelled, "This is because of all the harm done by Hollande to Muslims all over the world." France is involved in an air bombing campaign in Syria to neutralise ISIS militants, and the gunman's statement could point to an ISIS hand in the attacks. However, no group or organisation has yet taken responsibility for the attacks.
France has been in the eye of the storm for Islamist fundamentalists ever since the Charlie Hebdo cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed last year. There has already been one attack in January, and a gunman on a train was overpowered by the public earlier this year.
For the LIVE coverage of all news related to the bombings, click here.
How has the world reacted?
The world has reacted with shock and horror and expressed deepest condolences to those dead.
US President Barack Obama has condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
"Once again we've seen an outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris; it's an attack not just on the people of France. But this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share," Obama told reporters.
Indian PM Narendra Modi, who is in the UK currently, also expressed his condolences.
News from Paris is anguishing & dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his deep condolences to Hollande and all the people of France following the "horrible terrorist attacks in Paris", the Kremlin said in a statement.
"Russia strongly condemns this inhumane killing and is ready to provide any and all assistance to investigate these terrorist crimes."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose foreign minister was attending a France-Germany soccer match with Hollande when the stadium was attacked, said, "I am deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.
"The German government is in contact with the French government and has passed on a message of sympathy and solidarity from the German people."
British Prime Minister David Cameron said, "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".
The Vatican has expressed shock over the attacks and called for global solidarity. "We are shocked by this new manifestation of maddening, terrorist violence and hatred which we condemn in the most radical way together with the Pope and all those who love peace," The Holy See press office said.
Facebook on the other hand has enabled its 'Safety Check' feature in view of the Paris attacks, to enable people to mark themselves safe.
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