Shooting and Explosion Lead About 30 People Dead In Paris

After January another again, at least thirty people are dead tonight after a series of shootings and explosions in Paris. A Kalashnikov-wielding gunman is thought to have gone on the rampage in the French capital and explosions rang out near the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Gunfire was heard inside a restaurant close to... Rue Bichat, in the 10th arrondissement of the city soon after 9pm. Shouting and screaming also rang out as the shooting began.

Several minutes later more shots were fired at live music Bataclan near Place de la Republique which is a short walk away. Up to 60 people are understood to be held hostage at the venue.

Moments later a number of explosions were heard near the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. French president Francois Holland was reported to be among those evacuated as police swooped during the France and Germany football match.

As anti-terrorist police flooded the area, an officer on the scene warned "the gunman is suspected to be still on the loose. People should leave the area."

One man on Twitter said his friend escaped Bataclan where five or six unmasked shooters fired for about five minutes.

It is reported one of the shooters mentioned Syria as they unleashed rounds on innocents.

Police and other emergency services are at the scene, which is close to where the Charlie Hebdo attack happened in January.