Parisians launch PorteOuverte hashtag for those stranded in Paris

In the wake of a series of attacks on Paris, its citizens have taken to Twitter to help those stuck in the city as the result of pandemonium.

People in the area are using the hashtag #PorteOuverte, or “open door,” to direct people stranded by the attacks to a safe place to stay.

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If you're in Paris looking for shelter, use hashtag #PorteOuverte. Parisians will let you in their home.

— C for Calamity (@theoneAudreyC) November 13, 2015

Over the last hour or so, Parisians have experienced shootings involving automatic weapons and explosions in at least three areas in the city, according to CNN. As many as 60 people are reportedly dead. Still others are being held hostage at a music venue in the city.

During a press briefing earlier this evening, U.S. President Barack Obama said that the U.S. is prepared to help France, one of the country’s oldest allies, in any way necessary.

Twitter is in a unique position to unite strangers in a crisis. In the last decade, social media has begun to play a larger role during catastrophes. People have taken to using a variety of digital networks to post videos of protests, shootings, and other disasters, as well as to coordinate safety plans with people on the ground.