Paris attacks: People clamber out of Bataclan concert hall to escape gunfire

Heart-stopping video of concertgoers fleeing the terrorist attack at the Bataclan theater in Paris Friday captures the chaos as the massacre unfolds.

In claiming responsibility for the attacks, the Islamic State group said the Bataclan had expressly been targeted for its "hundreds of pagans gathered for a concert of prostitution and vice". After a police siege to rescue hostages, the terrorists were killed.

"We would hold each other's hands, touch each other's arms or back to comfort one another".

French police raided the theater and the attackers were neutralized. The video, taken from an apartment balcony, shows a slew of people racing down a passageway in the building to a side street.

A few people are even seen dragging bodies down the street.

John Leader and his son Oscar were separated during the carnage at the Bataclan Concert Hall

Several can be seen stumbling, collapsing on the floor outside, struck by bullets as they fled.

A few can be seen clinging to window ledges high up on the wall of the building after climbing from second-floor windows.

"They weren't in there shooting like in an American movie", Leader said.

A French reporter said around 1,200 were inside the venue and a few of those managed to survive by hiding in the upper tiers. "During the Charlie Hebdo attacks, it was such a shock for the French people..."

Earlier, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon demanded "the immediate release" of the hostages in the theatre, where USA band Eagles Of Death Metal was scheduled to play to a sell-out crowd.

The band were later confirmed as safe.

Award-winning photographer Patrick Zachmann of Magnum Photos was on Republique Square in the center of Paris when he saw police cars and fire trucks speed by. "Everyone on stage was able to get off".

"Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation".

Benjamin Cazenoves, who says he was injured in the attack, posted a message on from inside the Bataclan that has since gone viral.

He appealed to his nation to remain united, saying: "We will lead the fight".