Police received “concrete indications” of terrorist attack – N24

One and a half hours before kick-off, the police have the international match between Germany canceled against the Netherlands. The stadium was evacuated, special forces searched the premises from.

For four days after the terrorist attacks in Paris is the international football match between Germany and the Netherlands in Hannover for clues to a possible Islamist attack was canceled shortly before kickoff. “We have had concrete evidence that someone wanted to ignite an explosive device at the stadium,” said Hanover Police President Volker Kluwe. The note had come from a foreign intelligence service, reported the dpa.

So far, there were no arrests, nor was explosives have been found in Lower Saxony Interior Minister Boris Pistorius said at a hastily called news conference. Gossip explosives had been deposited in an ambulance left, “not yet confirmed”.

According to information of the “Bild” newspaper that security authorities received prior to the cancellation of several indications of attack plans. First, there had been indications that a group led by a particular known North Africans could be plotting an attack. It is concretely of explosives, explosive belts, automatic weapons and explosives have been the talk of the access roads. Then the French secret service had warned an Iraqi sleeper who is alleged to have planned an attack on the friendly match.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière (CDU) said the cancellation had been made on his recommendation. “We all were looking forward to the game,” de Maiziere said. It was intended to be a special gesture. “All the more bitter is such a decision, and the more difficult it is like us.” De Maizière stressed concrete answer many questions about the backgrounds and reasons of rejection he could not afford. “Some of these answers would unsettle the population.” Browse

Einsatzkommendos area

The police had fears, what would do possible terrorists after the cancellation of the game as an alternative. Heavily armed police officers detained after the evacuation of the premises Niedersachsenstadion Cordon off. Several special task force began to search the ground and surrounding terrain. The evacuation zone was marked with police tape marked “Caution mortal danger”.

The main railway station was partially blocked, residents were asked to stay in their homes. The police asked the transport companies in the short term, no longer go to certain subway stations in downtown. The precaution was but only in the short term.

The German national football team was at the time of cancellation of the international match against the Netherlands on their way to the arena, but then turned back. The team had been brought to Lower Saxony, and training camp Barsinghausen, said DFB interim president Reinhard Rauball. From there, players have begun the journey home to their families. The players of Bayern Munich were flown to Munich.

“Go normally home!”

At the time of the cancellation of the game Toward 19.15 clock a handful of spectators were in the stadium. They were prompted by loudspeaker to leave the stadium area. “Ladies and gentlemen, dear football fans, I’m sorry, but the game has been canceled at short notice. Please remain calm! There is no danger on the march or something. Just go quite normal to go home!” Was the Paging. People were slow out of the stadium, there was no panic.

The police had after the attacks of Paris greatly increased its presence in Hannover before the international match, in the city patrol numerous armed Forces with submachine guns. At stake is also Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and numerous other high-ranking guests had announced to symbolize solidarity with the victims of the attacks in Paris. Merkel, who was sitting on the plane to Hanover, flew to the cancellation immediately returned to Berlin.

Four days earlier, it was during the meeting of Germany in European Championship hosts France to serious terrorist attacks outside the stadium in Saint- Denis and arrived in Paris. This according to recent information 129 innocent people lost their lives. The German team had left the Stade de France until the early hours of the morning and was brought under police escort to the airport.