Paris attacks: Eagles of Death Metal escape Paris attack, 100 hostages killed after police storm concert venue
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More than 100 hostages were killed on Friday after gunmen opened fire inside Le Bataclan Concert Hall in eastern Paris.
American rock band Eagles of Death Metal were scheduled to play at a sold-out show inside the concert hall. There are conflicting reports saying the band had escaped just before the shooting began, however, NBC News reports that at least one unnamed member was unaccounted for early Saturday morning.
Mary Lou Dorio — the mother of Julian Dorio, the band's drummer — told the Washington Post that her son is safe. Julian was able to phone his family at a nearby police station as he left his cellphone on stage.
La châleur et le ronron des guitares. #bataclan #gig #eaglesofdeathmetal
A photo posted by VV. (@vvaah) on
The California-based rock band was formed by Josh Homme and Jesse Hughes in 1998.
We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation.
Posted by Eagles Of Death Metal on Friday, November 13, 2015
One witness who escaped from the venue said that "there was blood everywhere. They were firing automatic rifles into the crowd.”
Jenny Watson was on the first floor of the concert hall, listening to the band when three attackers with Kalashnikov rifles entered the venue.
"They were quite high pitched; at first I thought it was a joke on behalf of the band. I thought they were maybe playing a joke on us. And I didn’t actually believe it," she told France24.
"And the shots kept going and going and going, and people started screaming and people started ducking, you know, hiding behind the seats and the chairs. And that’s when we realized we had to get out."
Police rushed into the venue where two gunmen were reportedly holding 100 hostages. Both attackers were killed by police and the hostages were released.
More than 120 people died in the attacks, comprised of several shootings and explosions across the capital.
French band Red Lemons posted a statement on Facebook saying that Eagles of Death Metal had left the venue when the attack began.
"We are safe. Mikel Ross, Eric McFadden we were with your mates Jesse, Tuesday, the other musicians outside, they're safe too, they took a cab," the statement reads.
The Independent has reached out to the band and concert venue for more information.
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