Hannover bomb plot foiled after French spooks tip off German authorities

A suspected terrorist plot is thought to have been foiled in Germany tonight after a series of bomb scares rocked Hannover.

French intelligence officials are reported to have warned their German counterparts about a potential attack, sparking a string of security alerts this evening.

The spooks told German authorities that the terrorists might strike using an explosives-laden vehicle with official access to the football stadium, such as an ambulance, TV crew van or security patrol car, reports Die Welt.

According to German newspaper Bild, a North African terror cell was planning to attack Hannover with assault rifles and suicide vests – chillingly similar to the methods used in Paris on Friday which killed 129.

They also reported an Iraqi ‘sleeper agent’ may have planned the attack.

Local newspaper Kreiszeitung reported a vehicle disguised as an ambulance and packed with explosives had been discovered parked outside Hannover stadium as Germany prepared to take on the Netherlands.

Shortly after a concert venue, also in Hannover was evacuated as police ramped up security and part of Hannover’s main railway station was closed due to a police investigation.

German media reported that the country’s Minister of Interior Thomas de Meizere refused answer questions about the terror attack saying: “Some of these answers would unsettle the population.”

The events kicked off after German authorities said they received “concrete information” about a bomb threat at the HDI Arena leading to the international friendly being cancelled.

The arena was evacuated after a suspected suspect package was found. It is then thought a truck or van disguised as an ambulance was found packed with explosives.

A van was seen being taken away from the area as an immediate threat and terror warning was extended to all of Hannover and a road block was put in place as the evacuation took place.

Source: Mirror