Germany vs Netherlands Football Game Cancelled Due To “Plans For Explosion”

The Hannover stadium in Germany was evacuated this evening after a security threat resulted in the Germany vs Netherlands game being called off. Hannover City Police president, Volker Kluwe, confirmed that a "concrete security threat" had developed in the hours leading up to kick-off of the match which several German cabinet ministers and Chancellor Angela Merkel were exptected to attend. Speaking at a press conference, he added: “We just asked the specators to leave the stadium quickly but without panis… [there are] serious indications that a bomb attack was planned by Islamic assailants,” A local news site, Kreiszeitung.de, reported that an ambulance filled with explosives was found close to the stadium, as well as the presence of a "trouble-maker" who is known to police. A German police statement reads: "The game has been cancelled. Please go straight home but stay calm". Police spokeswoman Stephanie Weiss confirmed that a suspicious package, believed to be a suitcase was found in the stadium - although it has not yet been confirmed that this was the cause of the stadium evacuation and cancellation of the game.

Police announcement outside Hannover stadium: "Please immediately make your way home. There is no reason for you to stay here any longer."

— Anton Troianovski (@AntonWSJ) November 17, 2015

Hannover police chief on ARD: After gates opened, “we received a serious tip that an explosive attack was planned for the stadium.”

— Anton Troianovski (@AntonWSJ) November 17, 2015