Author: James

Paris attacks: At least 118 killed in gunfire and blasts, French official says

By Steve Almasy and Jim Bittermann, CNN

Updated 8:02 PM ET, Fri November 13, 2015

https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/13/world/paris-shooting/index.html

By Ralph Ellis and Steve Almasy, CNN

Updated 5:40 PM ET, Fri November 13, 2015

(CNN)[Latest developments, posted at 5:38 p.m. ET]

— At least 60 people have died in the attacks, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported.

— Counterterrorism officials around the United States have convened secure conference calls to try to gather information and to assess whether there is any indication of threats in the U.S, according to two U.S. counterterrorism officials. There is nothing to indicate any threat to U.S. cities so far. Immediate suspicion for the events in Paris falls to so-called returnees — people who have traveled to Syria and Iraq and have returned, the officials said.

— At least six shootings took place in Paris and three explosions took place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis late Friday, CNN affiliate BFMTV said. Two or three gunmen entered the Bataclan concert hall while opening fire on law enforcement, BFMTV reported. A source earlier told CNN there were six to eight hostage takers, citing a person they were talking to inside the venue.

— CNN’s Jim Bittermann, who is based in Paris, reports a producer who is at the Bataclan tells him that police are firing at a rooftop position near the venue.

— President Francois Hollande was evacuated at halftime of the France-Germany soccer match.

— Hollande, Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve are holding a crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry to address the attacks in Paris and the explosions in Saint-Denis, according to BFMTV.

— Paris police tell CNN there were three attacks. Attackers reportedly used AK-47 automatic weapons. There were one or two explosions at the Stade de France.

https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/13/world/paris-shooting/index.html