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Attackers planned multiple explosions in German stadium: reports

A group of several attackers planned to set off several explosives in Hannover stadium

Berlin: A group of several attackers planned to set off multiple explosives in Hannover football stadium at Tuesday night's friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands, which was called off, daily Bild reported on Thursday.

Read: Germany cancel Netherlands match after 'serious bomb threat'

Bild said it had obtained a copy of a document that Germany's domestic intelligence service provided to Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Tuesday, the contents of which were so shocking the authorities had no choice but to call off the match.

Based on intelligence from a foreign intelligence service, the document detailed how a group of several attackers planned to set off several explosives in the stadium in Hannover, as well as a bomb in the city centre.

The attackers planned to smuggle the explosives into the stadium in an ambulance, Bild cited the document as saying. The group's leader was to film the attack in the stadium. After midnight, another attack was planned at Hannover railway station.

In the event, the authorities said they found no explosives at the stadium.

Read: No explosives found in Hannover football scare, says German minister

The premier of the state of Lower Saxony said on Wednesday that German officials had concrete indications of a security threat that led them to call off the football game between Germany and the Netherlands.

Chancellor Angela Merkel had been due to attend the match.

There was no immediate comment from the Interior Ministry on the details of the Bild report.

But Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told a news conference: "The indications were so concentrated that calling off the match was unavoidable. Whether the indications were a real threat, or just an indication, we don't know."

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( Source : reuters )
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