Facebook Safety Check Activated, #PorteOuverte Trend After Paris Attacks

Facebook Safety Check Activated, #PorteOuverte Trend After Paris Attacks
Emergency services attend the scene as victims lay on the pavement outside a Paris restaurant, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Police officials in France on Friday report multiple terror incidents, leaving many dead. It was unclear at this stage if the events are linked. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Jack Phillips
11/13/2015
Updated:
11/13/2015

Facebook activated its “Facebook Safety Check” for people with friends or family in Paris to help notify others about their safety.

It also allows one to mark someone else as safe.

“Quickly find and connect with friends in the area. Mark them safe if you know they’re OK,” it says.

Screenshot/Facebook
Screenshot/Facebook

The AFP news agency is reporting that well over 100 people died in a series of attacks around Paris on Nov. 13, which included bomb attacks and shootings. At least 100 people died inside the Bataclan concert hall.

A French police official said that top government officials including President Francois Hollande were headed to the Bataclan.

Two attackers were killed after a police assault.

Supporters invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium at the end of the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Hundreds of people spilled onto the field of the Stade de France stadium after explosions were heard nearby. French President Francois Hollande says he is closing the country's borders and declaring a state of emergency after several dozen people were killed in a series of unprecedented terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Supporters invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium at the end of the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Hundreds of people spilled onto the field of the Stade de France stadium after explosions were heard nearby. French President Francois Hollande says he is closing the country's borders and declaring a state of emergency after several dozen people were killed in a series of unprecedented terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

At the same time, #PorteOuverte, which means #OpenDoor trended on Twitter, after the attacks.

“If you’re in Paris and trying to find shelter, browse the #PorteOuverte hashtag. People are welcoming you! Don’t stay outside!” one person tweeted.

France 24 said Parisian taxi drivers are turning off meters and driving people home or to safety, according to USA Today.

https://twitter.com/ThomasNigro/status/665291774433341440

https://twitter.com/duretzflo/status/665293113359994880

https://twitter.com/Savate_/status/665303694368485377

https://twitter.com/Dolfe_Steele/status/665290037601398784

Witnesses called it a “massacre” and a scene of “carnage” at the Bataclan theater, it was reported.

President Hollande said in a televised statement of  the attacks: “We have mobilized all available forces to neutralize the terrorists.” The military was deployed, the borders of France were closed down, and a state of emergency was declared. He said security forces are assaulting a site in Paris after the attacks.

French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country’s borders. The violence spread fear through the city and exceeded the horrors of the Charlie Hebdo carnage just 10 months ago.

As well deaths at the concert hall, a police official said around 1 people were killed at a Paris restaurant in the 10th arrondissement.  Other officials said at least three people died when bombs went off outside a stadium, AP reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. It’s unclear how many attackers were involved.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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