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| Dave Catching and Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal |
MEMBERS of a popular rock band are reportedly safe and well after hundreds of fans were killed by terrorists at a concert in Paris.
The American band Eagles of Death Metal were performing a sellout show in the French capital when gig-goers were taken hostage.
But at least two crew members have not been accounted for amid the "carnage" at the Bataclan theatre, according to reports.
The seige ended when two gunmen – who shouted "it's for Syria" and "God is great" in Arabic – were killed by police, French media said.
Automatic gunfire was heard outside the theatre after reports that gig-goers had been taken hostage.
And images on social media showed two men who were ushered away from the theatre with blood clearly visible on their shirts.
The onslaught lasted for around 10 minutes as terrified music fans screamed and covered their heads, according to eyewitness.
The brother of drummer Julian Dorio said: "He said they were playing, about six songs into the show, and they heard, before they saw anything, they heard automatic machine gunfire."
"And it was so loud, it was louder than the band, and they all hit the stage floor.
"And as they got up to try to evacuate they saw men with machine guns just shooting anything and everything in the venue."
A spokesman for the band earlier said: "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."
Terrified Facebook user Benjamin Cazenoves claimed the gunmen were killing concert-goers "one-by-one" in a series of posts.
He said: "They are shooting everyone. One-by-one. First floor. Quickly."
Cazenoves appeared to escape the theatre, with a friend writing: "So glad to hear you made it out safely."
Parisians, see you in a few!
@EODMofficial
#eodm #eaglesofdeathmetal #zipperdown pic.twitter.com/RAamVro7r3
— Matt McJunkins (@mattmcjunkins) November 13, 2015
Musicians Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme formed Eagles of Death Metal in Palm Desert, California in 1998.
The pair – also known for their work with Queens of the Stone Age – recently released their fourth album, which reached 32 in the British charts.
The American band Deftones – who were due to play at the Bataclan tonight – were watching the Eagles of Death Metal show.
They wrote on Facebook: "Thank for all your inquiries on our well being. Band/crew all safe and accounted for at this time. Prayers for those affected in these tragic events."
Eyewitness Jonathan Hill, who is from Cardiff but working in France, said he saw a man directing people into the concert hall.
He said: “I heard three distinct firing shots that at first I didn't believe were actual shots from a gun.
“They almost sounded like fireworks cracking off in the middle of the street.
"And while that happened I saw a guy probably 6' 4" or 6' 5", quite a heavy set man – looked Caucasian from about 50 yards away."
Hill added: "And he was in the middle of the street shouting "Allez! Allez!" at people.
"He almost seemed to be a good Samaritan telling people to get out of from the cafes and go inside.
“As that happened I saw another shot and I saw someone collapse to the floor outside the Bataclan."
The Bataclan is just 200m from the former offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, where 11 people were killed by Islamist gunmen in January.
Another eyewitness told a French newspaper: "I was in the pit at the front. I heard bangs go off.
"I turned round and I saw a silhouette with a cap on who was heading towards the back door.
"He shot in my direction. People started falling and throwing themselves towards the ground'."
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