Germany’s game with the Netherlands has been cancelled on Tuesday night, amidst fears of a security threat.
HDI-Arena in Hanover was evacuated as police spokesperson Stephanie Weiss confirmed that a suspicious object – thought to be a suitcase – was found at the stadium.
Sky Deutschland report that the arena was evacuated due to “concrete plans to bring about an explosion.”
BREAKING: Sky Deutschland reporting evacuation of stadium happened because there were "concrete plans to bring about an explosion." #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 17, 2015
Local German newspaper Kreiszeitung are more specific. They claim that an ambulance containing explosives was discovered at the front of the stadium.
https://twitter.com/Kreiszeitung/status/666695147644715008
https://twitter.com/JeremyCliffe/status/666699329856512000?s=09
https://twitter.com/Conflicts/status/666697205500243969?s=09
Images have also emerged of a reported suspect held at gunpoint near the stadium.
BREAKING PHOTO: Police hold man at gunpoint 1km from soccer stadium in Hannover – @Jeroen_Grueter pic.twitter.com/N2ZsjfJmGy
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) November 17, 2015
We stress that this is breaking news so these reports must be treated with a level of caution.
UPDATE: Reuters reporter Cassandra Garrison has posted an update in which a German official denied that any explosives were found or that any arrests were made.
