Van with gas canisters found near concert venue in Rotterdam

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By BNO NEWS

A van with gas canisters has been found near a concert venue in the Dutch city of Rotterdam after a tip from Spanish police, the mayor says. The driver has been detained and the bomb squad has arrived to investigate.

The incident began on early Wednesday evening when the Maassilo concert venue in Rotterdam canceled a concert by American rock band Allah-Las at the urging of local police. The venue was cordoned off by police and staff members were evacuated before guests arrived.

Hours later, Dutch Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said police had received information from Spanish police about a possible terror threat, which led to the concert’s cancellation. Although nothing was found initially, officers later noticed a van which was driving suspiciously.

containing a number of gas canisters was later found.

The van – which has Spanish license plates – was found to contain a number of gas canisters and the bomb squad was called. “Driver of the Spanish van has been arrested and taken to a police station. He is being questioned,” Rotterdam police said.

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