Music
13 Nov 15

Eagles of Death Metal Caught up In Paris Terrorist Killings

Eagles of Death Metal, the band that sometimes features Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age have been embroiled in a hostage crisis, in the Paris theatre where they played tonight.

French President Francois Hollande has declared s state of emergency in France, following a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital tonight.

The sickening drama erupted first in a restaurant in the 10th arrondissement, where eleven people were killed. This was followed by a series of three explosions, in the vicinity of the Stade de France, where France were playing Germany in a football game tonight. One of these was confirmed as a suicide bomb, which signalled the escalation of what will rank among the worst terrorist outrages on European soil ever. A number of attacks have subsequently taken place in different parts of the city. Current estimates are that at least 60 people have died. The death toll, sadly, is likely to rise.

Eagles of Death Metal were playing a concert at Bataclan in central Paris. In addition to the attacks which took place there, in which at least 15 people have already died, it gradually became clear that a hostage crisis was unfolding inside the theatre. An estimated 100 people are currently being held hostage there. There have been reports that the lead singer with Eagles of Death Metal made his escape through a back stage door, though this has yet to be definitively confirmed.

Eagles of Death Metal played the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on Monday night of this week.

All across the city of Paris, the picture is changing by the minute. Information available suggests that an operation may currently be underway to free the hostages being held in the theatre. While there is no definitive word yet regarding the safety of the band.

The US President has pledged his support for the French authorities, saying that the United States will do “whatever it takes" to bring those responsible for the terrorist outrages to justice. While no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack on the French capital, ISIS has adopted a hashtag ‘Paris On Fire' that celebrates the killings.

[updated to reflect that Josh Homme is NOT on this leg of the tour]