Yemi Adebowale
Paris has been gripped by terror after three terror attacks in the heart of the city left at least 26 dead tonight.
There was a shootout inside a restaurant on the Rue Bichat, two explosions near the Stade de France sports stadium and another shooting at the Paris Bataclan concert hall where terrorists are said to be holding 60 people hostage.
It is thought that at least 11 were killed in the restaurant, close to where the Charlie Hebdo shootings occurred in January, and another 15 killed in the theatre, police officials said.
Gunfire was also heard in other bars around the French capital.
Police have reported a ‘hostage taking situation’ in the Bataclan concert hall, in the 11th arrondissement.
‘We are all terrified, and have been told to get away as soon as possible,’ said Gilles Avel, a 19-year-old student who was enjoying a night out with friends close to the Bataclan, where a band called the Eagles of Death Metal was playing.
‘There were shots and then lots of people running. We knew there was a rock concert going on in the Bataclan.’Anti-terrorist police could be seen flooding into the area, as well as soldiers.
Machine gun fire and screams were heard from inside a restaurant on Rue Bichat, at around 9pm.
There have been unconfirmed reports that the attacker near the stadium, where the French football team is playing Germany in a friendly match tonight, was a suicide bomber.
An eyewitness said the two explosions were loud enough to be heard over the sound of cheering fans. Sirens were heard immediately and a helicopter was seen circling overhead.
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