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Sick pranksters let off firecrackers causing mass panic and confusion as hundreds of people gathered at a vigil in Paris tonight.

Families were paying tribute to the 132 victims with a moving gathering at Place de la Republique when screams broke out and a stampede of mourners fled the scene.

Live news broadcast shows dozens of people running away from the scene in terror as people reported hearing shooting.

In less than one minute the square was emptied as people rushed away.

People were seen cowering under tables in restaurants while broken glass lay around on the ground.

But officials said the panic had been sparked by people hearing firecrackers and confirmed there had not been any gunfire.

As rumours of a false alarm spread people began returning to the square.

Many of those inside Bataclan on Friday night initially believed firecrackers had been set off when gunfire rang out in the concert hall.

People on Twitter have voiced their disgust for anyone who may have set off firecrackers following the events of Friday night.

Tifini Kamars wrote: "It's way too soon to be playing around with fire crackers."

(Image: AFP)

Diana Mae Potts wrote: "No one in their right mind should be setting off firecrackers in this situation."

Another wrote: "So there's a Paris memorial and some d*****d thinks it's funny to set off firecrackers and the whole crowd runs in panic."

(Image: AFP)

It was one of several false alarms in Paris today as people remained on high alert.

In the Marais, reports of gunfire also turned out to be firecrackers.

(Image: AFP)

In Quai de Jemmapes, in the 10th arrondissement, not far from La Carillon which was targeted by the terrorists, a heater fell outside a bar causing a large panic.

Meanwhile there were reports of gunfire on a train causing 20 minutes of panic in the Paris Metro.