DEVELOPING: German Soccer Match Canceled, Crowd Evacuated Amid ‘Serious Plans’ of Attack
A soccer match between Germany and the Netherlands in the German city of Hannover was suddenly canceled this afternoon and the stadium is being evacuated. CNN reports, “Police said all visitors at the Hannover stadium have been asked to calmly leave.”
According to NBC News, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was supposed to be in attendance at the friendly match alongside other top officials “to show they will not bow to terrorism.” The interim president of the German football association (DFB) Reinhard Rauball said, “For the team to play against the Dutch only a few days after the terrible experiences in Paris is a necessary signal.”
Security measures were reportedly increased for today’s match after the terror attacks in Paris Friday night that included coordinated blasts outside of Stade de France.
#BREAKING Germany-Netherlands soccer game called off before kickoff, visitors asked to leave https://t.co/ooNuCEQABzpic.twitter.com/9tFYTq1kP1
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) November 17, 2015
We will update with more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE — 2:19 p.m. ET: BNO News is reporting that German police have uncovered “serious plans” to launch an attack at the stadium.
BREAKING: German police official says there were “serious plans” to carry out an attack in Hanover – NDR https://t.co/HNErPGlfZa
— BNO News (@BNONews) November 17, 2015
Unconfirmed reports from Conflict News indicate a truck bomb may have been discovered near the stadium.
BREAKING: Reports that German police have discovered a truck bomb disguised as a rescue vehicle near football stadium in Hannover.
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) November 17, 2015
UPDATE — 2:54 p.m. ET: Tom Steinfort of Channel 9 Australia News has taken to Twitter to provide the following update according to unconfirmed reports:
A truck loaded with explosives was disguised as an ambulance and attempted to drive into the stadium in Hannover according to latest reports
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) November 17, 2015
UPDATE — 3:26 p.m. ET: Breaking News Feed has Tweeted that a second object has been discovered at the Hannover train station. A reporter from NTV in Germany told CNN’s Brooke Baldwin at 3:23 p.m. ET, “And now we hear that there is also a device found in the train station just a few minutes ago, also there was an evacuation is ongoing now.”
BREAKING NEWS: Hannover police closed off part of the city’s central train station as another object has been found. https://t.co/5VEThsckaR
— Breaking News Feed (@pzf) November 17, 2015
UPDATED — 5:13 p.m. ET: Fox News’ Shep Smith Tweeted out the following clarifying information after several reports:
Official: Contrary to reports, no ambulance packed with bombs in Hannover, Germany
— Shepard Smith (@ShepNewsTeam) November 17, 2015
[featured image via Twitter]
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