UPDATE: What we know so far about the Paris terror attacks.

This post is being continually updated. Please press ‘refresh’ to read the latest developments.

UPDATE (3:17pm AEDT): French police say all of the terrorists behind the attacks in Paris are believed to be dead.

At least 153 people have died in a series of horrifying terror attacks in Paris.

Around 112 people are believed to have died at the Bataclan concert hall in eastern Paris, and about 40 have been killed in other areas of the French capital during the coordinated attacks.

If you are trying to contact family and friends in Paris, the Australian Embassy phone number in Paris is +33140593300.

Within Australia: 1300 555 135
Outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305

Facebook has also reactivated its feature allowing users to let their friends know they are safe.

Hundreds were taken hostage by a group of terrorists at Bataclan theatre on Friday night, where at least 1000 people were watching a concert by American band Eagles of Death Metal.

READ MORE ABOUT THE PARIS ATTACKS:

• “#PorteOuverte: When the very worst of humanity triggers some of its best.“
• ““I waited for them to reload and then we ran”.

A French radio correspondent who was in the hall at the time, Julien Pearce, called the scene “a bloodbath” and said he had seen 20 to 25 bodies inside the venue.

“We lied down on the floor not to get hurt. It was a huge panic,” he said.

He described two men dressed in black shooting AK-47s, and said the gunfire lasted 10 to 15 minutes, sending the crowd into a panic.

Other escaped hostages told CNN the terrorists calmly murdered hostages at Bataclan theatre one by one, execution-style.

One source told CNN that at least eight hostage-takers are involved.

According to CNN, on attacker was captured near Bataclan on Friday night. He claimed to be recruited by ISIS, along with three others coming from Syria.

A CNN producer and BFMTV later reported that SWAT teams had stormed the Bataclan concert hall — killing two attackers, ending the siege and bringing out at least 100 hostages from the theatre hall.

About 1,500 military personnel have been deployed across the city, BBC News reports.

Elsewhere in the city on Friday night, at least one gunman opened fire in a bar — using Kalashnikov rifles to gun down civilians at Petit Cambodge restaurant in the 10th District.

That attack in central Paris left at least four people dead.

Separate reports suggest that two coordinated explosions occurred near the Stade de France Stadium, where France and Germany were in the middle of a friendly football match.

The explosions, which killed at least three people and have been linked to a suicide bomber, are audible in video footage posted to Twitter.

There are also reports of shootings around Les Halles shopping centre and the Louvre.

Twitter reactions to the atrocities in Paris. Post continues after gallery:

French president François Hollande, who was at the Stade de France Stadium at the time of the explosion, was escorted back to the interior ministry after the explosions.

In a public address on Friday night, Hollande confirmed that the French government believed the incidents were terrorist attacks.

US President Barack Obama called the attacks an “outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians”.

“We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance the government and the people of France need to respond,” he said in a press conference.

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to work with the French people and with nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice and to go after any terrorist networks that go after our people.”

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to hold a press conference in Perth later this morning, ABC News reports.

According to various media reports, ISIS and its supporters are tweeting the hashtag #celebrating in relation to the horrifying attacks.

Meanwhile, kind-hearted Parisians are offering safe shelter for those in the city using the hashtag #PorteOuverte, which translates to “door open”.

The attack comes following tightened security measures in France ahead of a global climate conference that starts in two weeks.

In January this year, two gunmen attacked the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, killing 12 and wounding 11.

*Feature image: Twitter. Original image by Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP

We hope and pray for their safety.

Support is available for Australians with friends and family in Paris:

The Australian Embassy phone number in Paris is +33140593300 for those trying to contact friends and family in the region .

24-HOUR CONSULAR EMERGENCY HELPLINE

Within Australia: 1300 555 135

Outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305

SMS: +61 421 269 080

Website: Getting help overseas http://smartraveller.gov.au/help/