A wave of violence has swept through Paris tonight (November 13), with multiple shootings and explosions leaving several dead and a country gripped by terror. Among the casualties were several attendees at a venue hosting an Eagles of Death Metal concert, where several people have been killed and many more have been taken hostage.
Right now, details are murky, but Agence France-Presse reports that violence broke out at the Bataclan, where Josh Homme and Jesse Hughes' Eagles of Death Metal were playing tonight. According to the news agency, the hostage situation is ongoing as of press time.
However, it's unclear on the exactly number of hostages and when the violence broke out in relation to the concert. According to a Facebook message from the French band Red Lemons, Eagles of Death Metal were not harmed in the attack.
UPDATE (11/13, 6:20 p.m.): According the Washington Post, the mother of Eagles of Death Metal drummer Julian Dorio has confirmed that the band are safe. The newspaper wrote that the band members managed to flee the concert hall when the attacks broke out. However, the state of their crew remains unknown.
UPDATE (11/13, 7:05 p.m.): Eagles of Death Metal have shared the following message on Facebook, indicating that not all the band members may be safe after all: "We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation." Meanwhile, police stormed the venue and ended the hostage situation. Reportedly, at least two of the attackers were killed.
UPDATE (11/13, 7:20 p.m.): According to AFP, approximately 100 people died during the attack on the concert venue, said police. Three suspected jihadists were killed during the raid.
UPDATE (11/13, 10:06 p.m.): Members of Eagles of Death Metal's crew reportedly told NBC News that one member of the band was killed in the attack. It's unclear which member was killed.
UPDATE (11/13 10:45 p.m.): NBC News ran a correction on their story. Contrary to their last report, Eagles of Death Metal's manager confirmed that no members were killed in the attack.
UPDATE (11/13, 11:20 p.m.): As drummer Julian Dorio's brother Michael told Atlanta news station WSB TV, the attack happened mid-set. According to the family member, "He said they were playing, about six songs into the show, they heard, before they saw anything, they heard automatic machine gunfire. It was so loud, it was louder than the band, and they hit the stage floor. As they got up to try to evacuate they saw men with machine guns just shooting anything and everything in the venue. Fifteen hundred people, Julian said, was about the capacity of the venue. I don't know if it was seated or standing but Julian, the lead singer and some of the crew, there was a door back of the stage that led to a street and they flew out the back door."
UPDATE (11/13, 11:25 p.m.): U2 have cancelled their concert in Paris scheduled for tomorrow, as reports now estimate that more than 150 people were killed during the Paris attacks.
UPDATE (11/14, 1 p.m.): Following the attacks, Foo Fighters have cancelled their remaining tour dates, while Eagles of Death Metal have done the same and will return to the U.S. soon. According to officials, the death toll from the attacks on the venue is 87.
UPDATE (11/14, 8:30 p.m.): Many of victims from the Paris attacks have begun being identified. In the case of those at the Bataclan, among them is Nick Alexander, who was working the merch booth for Eagles of Death Metal. In the past, he had also worked with the likes of Black Keys, Best Coast MGMT and Fall Out Boy. A memorial fund has been set up in his honour and already reached over $30,000 as of press time. Music journalist Guillaume B. Decherf also passed away in the attack, as well as Mercury Records staffer Thomas Ayad.
Besides violence at the Bataclan, explosions erupted outside the national stadium Stade de France and at the Petit Cambodge restaurant close to the Bataclan. Officials have also declared a state of emergency in Paris and closed its borders as it grapples with the ongoing situation.
Stay tuned for updates as they become available.
Right now, details are murky, but Agence France-Presse reports that violence broke out at the Bataclan, where Josh Homme and Jesse Hughes' Eagles of Death Metal were playing tonight. According to the news agency, the hostage situation is ongoing as of press time.
However, it's unclear on the exactly number of hostages and when the violence broke out in relation to the concert. According to a Facebook message from the French band Red Lemons, Eagles of Death Metal were not harmed in the attack.
UPDATE (11/13, 6:20 p.m.): According the Washington Post, the mother of Eagles of Death Metal drummer Julian Dorio has confirmed that the band are safe. The newspaper wrote that the band members managed to flee the concert hall when the attacks broke out. However, the state of their crew remains unknown.
UPDATE (11/13, 7:05 p.m.): Eagles of Death Metal have shared the following message on Facebook, indicating that not all the band members may be safe after all: "We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation." Meanwhile, police stormed the venue and ended the hostage situation. Reportedly, at least two of the attackers were killed.
UPDATE (11/13, 7:20 p.m.): According to AFP, approximately 100 people died during the attack on the concert venue, said police. Three suspected jihadists were killed during the raid.
UPDATE (11/13 10:45 p.m.): NBC News ran a correction on their story. Contrary to their last report, Eagles of Death Metal's manager confirmed that no members were killed in the attack.
UPDATE (11/13, 11:20 p.m.): As drummer Julian Dorio's brother Michael told Atlanta news station WSB TV, the attack happened mid-set. According to the family member, "He said they were playing, about six songs into the show, they heard, before they saw anything, they heard automatic machine gunfire. It was so loud, it was louder than the band, and they hit the stage floor. As they got up to try to evacuate they saw men with machine guns just shooting anything and everything in the venue. Fifteen hundred people, Julian said, was about the capacity of the venue. I don't know if it was seated or standing but Julian, the lead singer and some of the crew, there was a door back of the stage that led to a street and they flew out the back door."
UPDATE (11/13, 11:25 p.m.): U2 have cancelled their concert in Paris scheduled for tomorrow, as reports now estimate that more than 150 people were killed during the Paris attacks.
UPDATE (11/14, 1 p.m.): Following the attacks, Foo Fighters have cancelled their remaining tour dates, while Eagles of Death Metal have done the same and will return to the U.S. soon. According to officials, the death toll from the attacks on the venue is 87.
UPDATE (11/14, 8:30 p.m.): Many of victims from the Paris attacks have begun being identified. In the case of those at the Bataclan, among them is Nick Alexander, who was working the merch booth for Eagles of Death Metal. In the past, he had also worked with the likes of Black Keys, Best Coast MGMT and Fall Out Boy. A memorial fund has been set up in his honour and already reached over $30,000 as of press time. Music journalist Guillaume B. Decherf also passed away in the attack, as well as Mercury Records staffer Thomas Ayad.
Besides violence at the Bataclan, explosions erupted outside the national stadium Stade de France and at the Petit Cambodge restaurant close to the Bataclan. Officials have also declared a state of emergency in Paris and closed its borders as it grapples with the ongoing situation.
Stay tuned for updates as they become available.
