French police report shootout and explosion in Paris

Police officials in France say there has been a shootout in a Paris restaurant and an explosion in a bar near a Paris stadium.

BFM television says there were several dead in the restaurant shooting in the 10th arrondissement of the capital. Two police officials confirmed the shooting but had no information about casualties.

Also late yesterday, two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium north of Paris during a France-Germany friendly football match. It was unclear if the events were linked.

A police official confirmed one explosion in a bar near the stadium. It is unclear whether there are casualties.
 

An Associated Press reporter in the stadium last night heard two explosions loud enough to penetrate the sounds of cheering fans. Sirens were immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to be publicly named.