Paris was rocked this evening by a series of shootings, explosions, and hostage situations that Reuters reports has left at least 60 people dead, with many others left wounded. The hostage situation, which occurred at Paris' Bataclan concert hall, is reported to involve six to eight hostage takers and 100 hostages; 15 others are reported to have already been killed at the Bataclan, according to the AP. The hostage takers have reportedly exchanged fire with the police, according to CNN, and Reuters reports that five explosions were recently heard near the concert hall. Some reports have claimed that police sources say the hall was the site of a sold-out concert tonight by American band Eagles of Death Metal.
Update: French police confirmed a total of six attacks in Paris, including two suicide attacks and one bombing near the Stade de France, as well as attacks at the Bataclan concert hall and a restaurant. French news outlets reported that police launched an assault on the Bataclan concert hall, where gunmen were holding 100 hostages. According to The Guardian, eight attackers are dead, several of whom died after detonating suicide belts. Authorities have reported that the number of fatalities has reached at least 120. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks; President Hollande agrees it was the terror group.
Earlier: Eagles of Death Metal — a hard rock band best known as the one-time side project of Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme — were touring throughout Europe in support of their new album, Zipper Down , which was released on Oct. 2. Homme was not with the band on their European tour. Paris was to be the first stop on a tour that would also take the band on to Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. Fellow U.S. hard rock band the Deftones were scheduled to begin a three-night engagement at the historic concert hall tomorrow night.
Though Stereogum has reported that photos of the band performing at the Bataclan concert hall appeared on social media before the attacks, it is unclear whether the performance was still going on when the hostage situation began or had finished. The official Eagles of Death Metal Facebook page posted a message, saying, "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." French President Hollande has closed France's borders and declared a state of emergency for the country, according to the BBC.
