Authorities cleared the Republique plaza, or the Place de la République, Paris, after unconfirmed reports of “gunshots,” however, the shooting was a false alarm. Police confirmed the update with AP. Police also cleared the plaza without an explanation, but reports circulated on social media said that there were “shots” heard. Mourners were gathering for those killed in the terrorist attacks that left at least 128 dead in Paris on Friday night.
Crowds run during live broadcast, Paris
This is the moment crowds start running from Place de la Republique as Matt Frei broadcasts live from Paris after a false alarm that someone had been shot.
Posted by Channel 4 News on Sunday, November 15, 2015
Authorities clear Paris’ Republique plaza, which was filled with mourners, no reason given – @AP https://t.co/ePCrK4d9FP
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) November 15, 2015
Video shared by @juliamacfarlane shows panicked crowds at Place de la Republique in Paris moments ago pic.twitter.com/4KSirvxIBS
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 15, 2015
Police were seen with their guns drawn, reported Reuters. Hundreds of people were seen leaving the gathering.
A live video feed, posted by Reuters, show people running from the plaza. However, reporters on the scene said the situation is now calm, as of 12:58 p.m. ET, or 6:58 p.m. French time.
People were seen running in panic at Paris memorial; scene is now calm. Watch CNNgo. https://t.co/HAhU3MmiMf pic.twitter.com/Ohc09Qn0JK
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 15, 2015
Police did not give a reason for the clearing.
BREAKING: Panic breaks out at scene of one of the Paris attacks, where police enter with drawn guns.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 15, 2015
BREAKING: Hundreds rapidly leave gathering at Paris’ Place de la Republique, reason unknown. https://t.co/NkYDv60yFD
— Reuters Live (@ReutersLive) November 15, 2015
There were reports of yells and screams in the crowd and a stampede to get out of the gathering.
The army was seen on the streets of Paris. A police operation closed to Rue Coquillere and Rue de Louvre as well, according to reports.
Army on the streets … Police operation appears to be underway close to Rue Coquillere and Rue de Louvre. #ParisAttacks @CBCNews
— Margaret Evans (@mevansCBC) November 15, 2015
Meanwhile French police have issued an alert for Salah Abdeslam, and a manhunt is currently underway for him. It warns people who see him that he’s dangerous, urging locals to “not intervene yourself.” Abdeslam is 26 years old and is 5″9, or 175 cm.
His brother, Ibrahim Abdeslam, was definitively identified as being two of the terrorists, a senior European intelligence official told the Washington Post.
