Video Captures Moment Terror Began In Bataclan Theatre

WARNING: Some people may find this footage distressing.

Mobile phone footage taken by a concert-goer has captured the horrifying moment terrorists opened fire inside the Bataclan theatre.

The violence at the theatre unfolded as part of a series of co-ordinated Isis attacks across the heart of Paris in the worst violence to strike France since World War II.

At least 129 people are dead, and a further 352 injured, after the three teams of jihadis attacked the Stade de France football stadium, a handful of bars and cafes, and then finally the Bataclan.

It is not clear who recorded the video or if they survived.

The mobile phone footage shows US rock band Eagles of Death Metal halting their performance midway through a song as gunfire breaks out.

It begins with the band's drummer and two guitarists on a darkened stage, illuminated only by the flashing stage lights.

Suddenly, gunfire erupts.

What sounds like a loud popping noise - which survivors later said they mistook for fireworks - breaks out to the band's left. They instantly stop playing as the horror of what is unfolding before them sinks in.

One of the guitarists then flees the stage, while the drummer jumps down behind his drum kit for cover. All band members have since been confirmed safe and accounted for by a US official, and they left Paris yesterday evening.

At least 89 people were killed when terrorists carried out the shooting inside the Bataclan theatre, in what was the deadliest in the series of co-ordinated attacks across Paris.

The band's merchandise manager was among the dead.

Pierre Janaszak, a radio presenter who was at the concert, said: "They didn't stop firing. There was blood everywhere, corpses everywhere. Everyone was trying to flee."
He added: "I clearly heard them say, 'It's the fault of Hollande, it's the fault of your president, he should not have intervened in Syria'."

The Foo Fighters, who were due to play in the French capital, have cancelled the rest of their tour following the attacks. U2 have also cancelled their Paris shows while alternative metal group the Deftones were set to play a three-night run at the terror-hit Bataclan.

NZ Herald