One of the targets of the terror attacks in Paris on Friday night, which killed at least 120 people and injured 200 others, was the iconic Stade de France. As a friendly football match between France and world champions Germany was underway, two suicide bombings took place just outside the arena, killing at least five people and injuring 30 others

Inside the stadium, initial oblivion turned into shock, horror and confusion.

More than 70,000 fans, including President Francois Hollande, had gathered at the stadium to watch the match on Friday night. Seventeen minutes into the game there was an explosion. It was later discovered to be the detonation of an explosive device at an entry gate, killing three people. But at the time, the fans didn't know what had happened.

 

According to a journalist covering the game, fans cried "Ole!", thinking the explosion to be a fire cracker, a common feature of French football matches. Fans continued cheering even as a second explosion was heard two minutes later – this one turned out to be a second suicide attack near the stadium, killing another two people and injuring several others.

It was only as text messages and social media updates started filtering in that the fans realised what was happening. But on the pitch, the players continued the game. A helicopter flew over the stadium at half-time and President Hollande was shephered out. The crowd continued to watch the match and even cheered the two French goals, according to another journalist at the game.

The exits were blocked after the final whistle and confused fans poured onto the pitch. The players reportedly stood shell shocked in the tunnel, watching the TV screens in horror, before they were whisked away in mini-buses to their hotels. The fans were eventually evacuated from the stadium an hour after the game, escorted to train stations and bus shelters.

 

The defining image was of French fans singing in the national anthem, La Marseillaise, as they evacuated the stadium.

With the sheer numbers in the stadium, the situation could easily have turned into a stampede. The swift action of the French authorities earned praise on social media.