The attackers at the Bataclan theatre and concert hall, where up to a hundred people were killed, blew themselves up as police closed in on their positions. A victim is pictured on the pavement outside a Paris restaurant on Friday. Credit:AP The French Government mobilised 1500 soldiers on the streets of Paris in the wake of the attack, thought to be the worst suffered by France since World War 2. After a night of chaos, the death toll is being constantly updated by police, as the full extent of the surprise attacks unfolds. "It is horror," said French President Francois Hollande, who attributed the attacks to terrorists.

He promised "a remorseless response against those responsible". Others called it a "night of terror" on a scale never seen before. Police officers and rescue workers gather around a victim outside a Paris restaurant on Friday Credit:AP Terrorists had declared war on Paris, said former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Twitter. After being evacuated from the Stade de France, where 70,000 were watching a soccer game between France and Germany, President Hollande declared a state of emergency. He announced an immediate inquiry into what most experts believe is a gross act of terrorism. People leave the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany on Friday. Credit:AP

"We don't know where they are coming from, or who is striking us," said Mr Hollande. "In such difficult times, I have thoughts for the victims." He said it was important to show compassion and "keep cool". It was a blood bath. Julien Pearce, an eyewitness, who saw at least 20 people shot at Le Bataclan theatre "What the terrorists want is for us to be scared. There is something to be scared about but in the face of terror we have to be united." "Please have faith in our security forces that they can defend us against terrorism," he said.

French police are telling Parisians to stay indoors. Metro stations near the shootings have been closed. Taxi drivers turned off their meters and drove people home for free. Most of the city will be shut on Saturday, including museums, markets, schools (which open on Saturday mornings) and pools. An eye witness who was attending a rock concert at the historic theatre Le Bataclan - where gunmen had held more than 100 people hostage who were attending a rock concert by American band Eagles of Death Metal - saw people shot randomly one by one. "Everyone was on the floor with their hands on their heads," Julien Pearce, a radio reporter told The New York Times. "I saw 25 to 30 people lying on the floor," he said. "It was a bloodbath," said Mr Pearce. He said the gunmen were masked and silent.

"People yelled, screamed, and everybody lay on the floor. It lasted for 10 minutes, 10 minutes, 10 horrific minutes when everybody was on the floor covering their heads and we heard so many gunshots, and the terrorists were very calm, very determined, and they reloaded three or four times their weapons. "They didn't shout anything, they didn't say anything. They were wearing black clothes and they were shooting at people on the floor, executing them. I was luckily at the top of the stage, on the front of the stage." During the siege, other eye witnesses reported six to eight hostage takers were marauding through the theatre looking for people hiding inside. About 10.20am Sydney time, gunshots and the sounds of explosions were heard from inside. CNN has reported that there were at least seven explosions when French police stormed the theatre. President Hollande - who was evacuated from the Stade de France after multiple explosions - immediately launched an inquiry into whether it was a terrorist attack.

The deputy mayor of Paris said it was too soon to say the attacks were coordinated acts of terror but he conceded: "It looks that way". According to French channel BFMTV, one of the gunmen at the theatre shouted: "It's for Syria" and "Allahu Akbar". Another witness blamed the president, but it was unclear whether he was referring to Mr Hollande or US President Obama. As of 3.24am on Saturday morning Paris time, Le Monde was reporting that nearly 200 people were dead or injured across the city at these locations: Boulevard Voltaire Charonne, in the 11th arrondissement, in the street opposite the bar La Belle Epoque where 19 dead and 14 in a critical condition

Le Bataclan, also in the 11 arrondissement, where as many as 78 or 79 were killed. Three to four terrorists are understood to have been killed during the police assault that ended the siege.

Rue de la Fontaine au Roi where five are dead, and eight are in a critical condition

Alibert Street Carillon bar where between 12 and 14 died, and 10 people who were injured remain in a critical condition

Stade de France where three attackers, including two suicide bombers, died.



Timeline of Paris attacks 9.20pm, Friday (Paris time) - Two explosions heard near the Stade de France, where France is playing Germany in an international football friendly

10.20pm - Reports of shooting at Petit Cambodge restaurant, about 8km away

10.20pm - French police confirm at least 18 people killed; also reports of shootings near the Bataclan theatre, south of the restaurant

10.30pm - Death toll rises to at least 26, including 15 reported killed in Bataclan theatre amid ongoing hostage crisis with up to 100 people held, including US rock band Eagles of Death Metal

11pm - French president declares state of emergency and closes borders; death toll rises to 42 people

11.20pm - French police confirm two suicide attacks and one bombing near the Stade de France stadium; at least three people believed dead in those attacks; reports of shots and explosions at the Bataclan theatre

11.35pm - Police storm Bataclan theatre; say at least two attackers killed; one official describes "carnage" - attackers had thrown explosives at hostages; at least 100 killed

1:25am, Saturday - Paris prosecutor says death toll at six sites could exceed 120; five attackers killed. Who to call for information about loved ones The Australian Embassy phone number in Paris is +33140593300. Call Department of Foreign Affairs' in Australia on 1300 555 135.