Facebook has launched a Safety Check alert during the ongoing terrorist attack in Paris on Friday night.
Sky News now reports the attacks have claimed the lives of at least 158 people - 40 of whom died during a series of six attacks in the French capital, and a further 118 killed at a Bataclan concert hall.
The Facebook safety tool enables users in the affected areas to notify friends and family of their safety.
A push notification is sent to assure friends that those in the vicinity of the attacks are safe.
Facebook users can also search for specific friends and if you are aware of someone's safety and want to notify their friends, you can search for that person and hit 'Mark Safe'.
One of the people responsible for the design of the service took to Twitter to express her sadness that the tool was now in use.
"When my team and I designed Safety Check, we hoped it would never have to be used. Today is a sad day".
The safety alert is being hailed as a 'service to humanity' by folk online.
For anyone concerned about friends or family in #Paris you can contact the Irish Embassy on +33144176700.
