A British man is feared among those killed in the attack on the Bataclan nightclub.

 

Friends posted a series of frantic messages on Facebook, wanting to know if Nick Alexander, thought to be originally from Colchester in essex, is safe.

 

The Foreign Office said it is 'investigating' reports of British casualties.

 

One friend wrote on Twitter: "Nick Alexander from Colchester was working at the Bataclan last night. Has anyone heard from him? #ParisAttacks #PorteOuverte #prayforparis"

 

Another added: "Does anyone know anything about Nick Alexander? He was working at #Bataclan tonight. Please let me know if you hear. "

 

An American expat living in Paris is also thought to be among those killed in the Paris attacks. The man, named as Nick, is the partner of Helen Wilson who was injured, according to accounts posted on Mrs Wilson's Facebook page by friends and family.

 

 The couple are thought to be from Los Angeles but were living in Paris and were fans of the heavy metal band Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing when the gunmen struck on Friday night.

 

On her Facebook page, Mrs Wilson, who ran a catering company in Paris called Rock en Bol, had posted a simple message "Eagles of Death Metal!!!" and three emoticon hearts after it to signify her anticipation of the gig.

 

In the aftermath of the attack, her brother Tim William Russell posted on Facebook: "She has 2 holes in her legs, waiting for the ambulance. The love of her life Nick died in her arms all she can say is 'I couldn't save him' this is really hitting me hard.

 

"Big brothers are suppose to protect their sisters and I can't even get there to be with her DAMN."

 

In the absence of any official news, friends and relatives used the social networking site Twitter to search for missing loved ones.

 

Under the hashtag 'rechercheParis' - meaning 'search Paris - photographs of those still not accounted for many hours after the attacks were posted on Twitter.

 

Photographs of young people were posted with frantic pleas for help in making contact.

 

 Prominent among them was Marie Mosser, whose friends made urgent pleas for her to get in touch.

 

"Please, this person was at Bataclan this evening, did someone see her?" posted one friend. Another posted: "Please RT on cherche encore Marie Mosser at Bataclan. Help."

 

Another young woman friends desperately were seeking was Chloe Boissinot. "We are looking for Chloe Boissinot," posted Jenny Boissinot, "The last time she was seen was in front of the restaurant 'Le Petit Cambodge'. If you have information, would you contact me. Thankyou."

 

 Another missing is Lola Saines. "Missing!! Lola Saines was at bataclan this evening!!. If you have seen her, please inform us."

 

There are so many pleas for the missing. With at least 128 people thought to have been murdered and many more injured, the pleas will continue.