But sieving through the plethora of information can be hard for an average reader, considering the barrage of messages being peddled about the attacks.
Here we have brought out the 10 most important points to note:
- Six centres were attacked across Paris, the French capital.
Bataclan concert venue, 50 boulevard Voltaire, 11th district – gun and suicide bomb attacks
Stade de France, St Denis, just north of Paris – explosions near venue as France played Germany in football friendly.
Le Carillon bar, 18 rue Alibert, 10th district – gun attack
Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, 20 rue Alibert, 10th district – gun attack
La Belle Equipe, 92 rue de Charonne, 11th district – gun attack
La Casa Nostra restaurant, 2 rue de la Fontaine au roi, 11th district – gun attack
- The attack on the Bataclan was the deadliest of the night. 80 concert goers were reportedly killed. All four attackers were killed, although three actually blew themselves up. The Bataclan was hosting a concert with about 1,500 audience members believed to be in attendance. The attackers were believed to have taken 20 people hostage inside the concert venue.
- It is the deadliest attack in Europe since the Madrid bombings of 2004. At least 120 people are believed to be dead and 239 others injured.
- French President Hollande was at the second venue (Stade de France) when attacks were launched nearby. He was rushed out of the venue by his security details.
- France has declared a state of emergency for the first time since 2005. All schools, parks and other public places are closed until further notice. Human and vehicular traffic are also restricted to help the government monitor the situation.
- The government has deployed at least 1,500 military personnel around the city.
- One of the attackers on the Bataclan blamed the attack on French President, Francoise Hollande’s intervention in the Syrian conflict.
- In the five other places attacked, at least 40 people were killed in the attacks carried out by 7 assailants who have been reportedly killed by police.
- The French government has promised to launch a “merciless” attack on terror.
- Many governments across the world have condemned the attacks. US President, Barack Obama called it “an outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians”.