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 129 people dead and the city paralysed with fear.

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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

Three bombers detonated their devices in quick succession outside 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 changing 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

France and Germany supporters wait until they can be escorted safely away from the stadium

At least eight militants, all wearing suicide vests, brought violence to the streets of the French capital in the bloodiest attack in Europe since the Madrid train bombings in 2004.

Armed with AK47 machine guns and shouting 'Allahu Akbar', four of the group marched into a rock concert at the Bataclan theatre, murdering up to 120 and taking dozens hostage before detonating their explosive belts.

Another 11 people were gunned down at a Cambodian restaurant while two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the Stade de France sports stadium where President Francois Hollande was watching the French football team play Germany.

All of the eight militants are reported to be dead, with seven of them killed in suicide blasts and one shot by police.

Police are now hunting possible accomplices as 1,500 extra soldiers were mobilised to guard French facilities while schools and universities were closed.

Cafe horror: A woman wipes tears from her eyes as she and other survivors help comfort some of the wounded

An armed policeman stands guard near the scene of the shooting in Paris on Friday night

At least 129 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