The Paris attackers who left a body count of 120 people and rising intended to murder far greater numbers but saw their plans foiled by security at Stade de France.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
At least one of the attackers outside France’s national soccer stadium had a ticket to the game and attempted to enter the 80,000-person venue, according to a Stade de France security guard who was on duty and French police.
The guard—who asked to be identified only by his first name, Zouheir—said the attacker was discovered wearing an explosives vest when he was frisked at the entrance to the stadium about 15 minutes into the game. France was playing an exhibition against Germany inside.
While attempting to back away from security, Zouheir said, the attacker detonated the vest, which was loaded with explosives and bolts, according to Paris prosecutor François Molins. Zouheir, who was stationed by the players’ tunnel, said he was briefed on the sequence by the security frisking team at the gate.
The terrorists failed to inflict mass casualties through the planned initial blasts and subsequent use of their bombs as force multipliers unleashing stampedes inside the stadium. Just three people reportedly died as a result of the bombs immediately outside of the venue.
Confusion reigned on the field and in the stands as the sounds of explosions echoed in the first half of the friendly between the German and French national teams. Following the game, spectators milled on the pitch in an effort to avoid the carnage outside the stadium and the German team remained at the venue following the game rather than risk the trek back to their hotel.
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