A Frenchman
has told of how his life was saved by his mobile phone, after he was
caught in the middle of last night's horrifying terrorist attacks in
Paris.
The
man, named only as Sylvestre, had just ended a phone call when a
terrorist blew himself up just metres from where he stood - the first of
two suicide explosions and a bombing at the Stade de France which
killed at least six people.
A
flying piece of shrapnel from the blast smashed into his phone, which
would have caused his head to 'explode' had it made impact just seconds
later.
The
double suicide blasts at the stadium came as part of a series of
coordinated attacks which left at least 127 people dead and the city
paralysed with fear.
The man, named only as Sylvestre, had
just ended a phone call when a terrorist blew himself up just metres
from where he stood - the first of two explosions at the Stade de France
Sylvestre
was also struck by shrapnel in his foot and abdomen but is lucky to be
alive after the stadium attack, which also left several people seriously
hurt.
President
Francois Hollande was evacuated from the stadium, where he was watching
the friendly match with Germany with the German interior minister, when
the first blast sounded.
Filmed
by a fan, chilling footage of the blasts shows a French player in
possession of the ball during the first half of the match before a huge
explosion can be heard in the background, at 9.17pm.
Confusion
followed as no one understood the implication of the blast, with some
of the 80,000 fans at the stadium even cheering what they believed to be
a firework.
It
is believed the first terrorist detonated the explosive device while
trying to enter Gate J of the stadium, killing at least three fans.
Two minutes later, a second blast echoed through the stadium.
Reports
indicate that one of the bombs was detonated near a McDonald's
restaurant on the fringes of the stadium, which is due to host the
European Championship in seven months' time.
Three attackers are said to have died at the stadium.
A flying piece of shrapnel from the
blast smashed into the phone, which would have caused the man's head to
'explode' had it made impact just seconds later
Sylvestre shows his shattered mobile
phone. It is believed the first terrorist detonated the explosive device
while trying to enter Gate J of the stadium, killing at least three
fans
The mobile phone
was hit by a piece of flying shrapnel, after Sylvestre was caught in the
suicide blast as he walked past the Stade de France
Despite
the terrifying explosion, the game continued until thousands of the
terrified fans gathered on the pitch at the Stade de France.
They were afraid to leave the pitch which the uncertainty of the continued violence going on in other parts of the city.
Around
10.30pm, a stadium announcer reportedly told the crowd to avoid certain
exits 'due to events outside', without elaborating.
At
first, the announcement prompted panic, but then the crowds walked out
of the stadium hugging each other and checking their phones for the
latest news of the violence.
The
president of the French Football Federation later confirmed an
explosion at Gate J of the national stadium but that the ground had been
secured.
Just hours before the blast, the German team were evacuated from their hotel following a bomb scare.
The
German team and staff were forced to stay the night inside the dressing
room at the stadium, while waiting for information on how to get to
their team hotel.
Germany
manager Joachim Low, whose side were beaten 2-0 during the game, told
how his players were in a state of shock after the match.
‘We are all shattered and shocked,’ he told ARD. ‘For me personally the sport takes a backseat.
‘We are baffled at the moment. When I heard the band I could imagine what that would be.’
Supporters of both France and Germany were held in the stadium until they could be safely evacuated
Fan footage shows how the players continued to play football despite the horrific blast which echoed through the stadium
Terrified and confused, fans waited on the pitch for more information following the devastating attacks in Paris
Thousands of fans poured on to the
pitch following the final whistle of the France vs Germany game, afraid
to leave the stadium because of the continuing violence outside
France and Germany fans were brought
onto the pitch at the Stade de France after two blasts were detonated
nearby, killing at least six people
France and Germany supporters gathered together on the pitch at the Stade de France on Friday night
As
a precaution, all sports events have been cancelled today in Paris,
while access to public facilities such as museums and swimming pools is
restricted.
Hundreds of fans banded together, distressed at their situation as French police attempted to regain control.
Simon
Hunter, 27, a British designer who lives in Paris, was at the match
with his father Martin, 66, and says they were caught up in a 'stampede'
when news of the attack filtered through.
'We
were watching the game then we heard two massive explosions,' he told
the Mirror Online. 'They were like nothing I've ever heard before - but
no one seemed to think much of it and the game carried on.
'I
checked my phone and I started getting messages saying that there had
been hostages taken and my friend had been driving and saw a car covered
in bullet holes and people running around covered in blood.'
He added that he had 'never been so terrified in my life.'
Hundreds of supporters make their way
out of the Stade de France after being held there for their safety.
President Hollande was evacuated from the stadium, where he was watching
the friendly, after the first blast
Police monitor the crowds as people are slowly evacuated from the stadium on Friday night
A French couple look scared as they stand together inside the Stade de France after a terror attack
The France national team look startled as they listen to the sound of gunfire from the Stade de France
An armed policeman stands guard near the scene of the shooting in Paris on Friday night
At least 127 people were killed in the
coordinated series of attacks last night in Paris, which left the city
paralysed with fear
The distressing scenes in the French
capital have sent shockwaves across social media, with a number of
campaigns launched to help people who were unable to get safely home
Machine
gun fire and screams were heard from inside the restaurant on Rue
Bichat, close to where the Charlie Hebdo shootings happened in January,
at around 9pm.
An
eyewitness said the two explosions at the stadium were easily loud
enough to be heard over the sound of cheering fans. Sirens were heard
immediately and a helicopter was seen circling overhead.
As
anti-terrorist police flooded the area, an officer on the scene warned
'the gunman is suspected to be still on the loose. People should leave
the area'.
The
English FA, meanwhile, have confirmed that they will liaise with their
French counterparts ahead of next Tuesday's friendly match at Wembley
before any further announcements are made.
Les
Bleus are due to face Roy Hodgson's men, but the encounter is now under
a cloud of doubt after the alarming developments in the French capital.
Indeed, the prospect of the match being postponed looks likely given the horrific nature of the attacks.
The terror attack which happened near
the Stade de France in Paris could be heard during Friday's game, over
the sound of cheering fans
At least eight militants, all wearing
suicide vests, brought unprecedented violence to the streets of the
French capital in the bloodiest attack in Europe since the Madrid train
bombings in 2004
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