NOTE: This story will be updated as details become available.
Stade de France in Paris became a scene of tragedy Friday night as at least three people were killed in bomb blasts that occurred near the stadium during a match between France and Germany. French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet confirmed the deaths in an interview with Canal+.
MORE: Aftermath of the attacks, in photos | Sports world recognizing tragedy
The explosion appears to be part of a series of violent incidents across the French capital that have left more than 100 people dead. The number of casualties is expected to rise.
An audible bang was heard during the first half of the match in the Saint-Denis district.
“I was at Gate X and heard two huge explosions," a France supporter told Loic Tanzi, a reporter for Goal.com who was at the stadium to cover the match. "At the time we thought it was a bomb and around the ground there was a sort of outcry. Then I received many text messages and it was then I understood. The atmosphere became cold around us.”
Le Graet told Canal+ the fans died in the Gate J part of the ground.
News of a number of shootings and bomb blasts in Paris spread quickly as the match wore on with hundreds of fans refusing to leave the ground and remaining on the pitch long after the final whistle.
"I came out of the stadium and people are crying, 'They are going to shoot me! They are going to shoot me!' " Tanzi said.
The stadium was put on lockdown after the explosion. French President Francois Hollande was at the stadium for the match but was quickly evacuated, CNN reported.
Tanzi said the stadium was opened and about 1,000 people had gathered on the pitch.
"They've switched music on to make the atmosphere better," he said.
Other violent incidents in Paris included a shootout at a Paris restaurant that resulted in multiple fatalities, as well as a hostage situation at a concert venue where two American bands were playing. French police told The Associated Press that at least 100 people were killed inside the venue, including two of the attackers.
Stade de France. #Paris #BreakingNews @welt pic.twitter.com/azLpcsZ9kz
— Lars Wallrodt (@LarsWallrodt) November 13, 2015 Hollande has described the violence as "an unprecedented terrorist attack on France" just seven months before the country is due to stage the European Championship. According to Hollande, a nationwide state of emergency will be declared and the country's borders will be closed.
Germany coach Joachim Low was clearly shaken when he spoke to ARD.
"We are all shattered and shocked," he said. "For me personally the sport takes a back seat. We will now be advised on what to do. We are baffled at the moment. When I heard the bang I could not imagine what that would be."
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff added: "There was a lot of uncertainty, fear and a strange mood in the locker room. It was noticeable how shocked the players were. They picked up their phones right away to call home."
L'Equipe reported Philippe Tournon, the press chief for the French national team, said Tuesday's scheduled international friendly against England would not go ahead.
U.S. President Barack Obama called the violence "an attack on all of humanity."
Omnisport contributed to this report.