HANNOVER, Germany (AP) — The friendly soccer game between Germany and the
Netherlands was canceled at short notice due to the serious threat of an
attack at the stadium — and local media report police found an explosive-
laden ambulance nearby.
“We had concrete evidence that someone wanted to set off an explosive
device in the stadium,” Hannover police chief Volker Kluwe told German TV.
Spectators had only just started entering the Hannover stadium when the
evacuation order was given. The order affected mainly stadium staff, match
workers, VIP guests, and media.
Members of the German government including Chancellor Angela Merkel had not
arrived, but were scheduled to attend the match to send a signal that
Germany wouldn’t bow to terrorism in the wake of the deadly Paris attacks
on Friday.
At the time, Germany was playing France in a soccer friendly in the Stade de
France, outside of which three suicide bombers blew themselves up, killing
one bystander.
Announcements at the stadium in northern Germany advised people to go home
in a calm manner, and that there was no danger to fear. Most fans were still
waiting outside when the order to evacuate came about an hour and a half
before kickoff.
There were no signs of panic, with most fans seemingly accepting the
decision with resignation. Police became more forceful with members of the
media who attempted to stay beside the stadium.
Germany press officer Jens Grittner said the team bus was redirected to a “
safe place,” and that was all he could say for the moment.
Security at the stadium was very tight, with police armed with machine guns
and maintaining a very obvious presence in the city. Reporters arriving for
the game were searched, while a sniffer dog was deployed to check their bags.
A spokesperson for Lower Saxony Minster Stephan Weil told dpa that Interior
Minister Thomas de Maiziere was to meet with local counterpart Boris
Pistorius later Tuesday when the background details would be given at a news
conference.