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Paris terror attacks: Guard turned away one bomber at stadium

This article is more than 12 months old

CLOSE SHAVE AT STADE DE FRANCE

A security guard at the Paris Stade de France football stadium prevented even more carnage when he stopped one of the terrorists wearing a suicide vest from getting inside the 80,000-person venue.

The guard, who asked to be identified only as Mr Zouheir, said he frisked the attacker about 15 minutes into the exhibition match between France and Germany.

He found that the attacker was wearing an explosive vest and denied him entry, reported the Wall Street Journal.

While attempting to back away from security, the attacker detonated the vest, Mr Zouheir said.

The vest was loaded with explosives and bolts, according to Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.

Mr Zouheir, who was stationed by the players' tunnel, said he was briefed on the sequence by the security frisking team at the gate.

French police suspect the attacker had intended to detonate his vest inside the stadium to provoke a deadly stampede.

At first, Mr Zouheir thought the early blast was a firecracker. However, his walkie-talkie came alive with chatter and he noticed that French President Francois Hollande, who was at the game, was being ushered out of the stadium.

"Once I saw Hollande being evacuated, I knew it wasn't firecrackers," said Mr Zouheir, who could see the VIP box from his post.

A second person blew himself up outside the stadium soon after the first blast.

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