Facebookhas once again activated its check-in feature in light of the bombings and shootings that took place in Paris, Friday. The tool feature allows people to that their friends in Paris are safe.
"Quickly find and connect with friends in the area," a statement in the Facebook Safety Check page read. "Mark them safe if you know they're OK."
For individuals who are in Paris, they can use the tool to mark that they are safe. Go to the Paris Terror Attacks page. Friends can also check the page to see if their friends and loved ones have marked themselves as safe. To further help in the situation, users will also get notifications every time a friend marks himself or herself safe.
Meanwhile, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg also posted a message shortly after the news of the situation broke out. "My thoughts are with everyone in Paris tonight," Zuckerberg wrote. "Violence like this has no place in any city or country in the world. We've activated Safety Check, so if you're in Paris you can mark yourself safe or check on your friends and family: The feature also allowed people to check which friends listed as being in Paris had not yet checked in as safe," the founder said.
Reports from authorities have revealed that at least 100 people have died in Bataclan music venue in eastern Paris alone. One witness recealled hearing one of the attackers yelled "Allahu Akbar" which, when translated to English, means "God is greatest".
The Facebook has already launched the tool last year to give people a way of letting their friends and families know that they are okay. It has been activated five times in the past for different natural disasters However, a representative of Facebook said that this is the first time the tool is activated for this kind of situation.
"We are shocked and saddened by the events unfolding in Paris," a representative said. "Communication is critical in these moments both for people there and for their friends and families anxious for news."
Individuals can access the Safety Check here: https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/paris_terror_attacks
