A SPANISH van carrying gas containers has been found near a Rotterdam concert venue after armed police cancelled a performance by American rock band Allah-Las.
Earlier, the Maassilo venue announced that “due to a terrorist threat, the Allah-Las concert will not take place this evening, on police orders”.
Rotterdam police confirmed the decision was taken due to a “possible terrorist threat” and that a Spanish driver had been detained.
The vehicle, variously termed as as a small ‘bus’ or ‘van’, has since been identified as a Renault Kangoo.
Dutch police say the venue was closed about 7pm local time, and that the van was seen in the area later - about 9.30pm. Officers decided to stop and inspect the vehicle when it was noted to be carrying Spanish number plates.
They found several gas cylinders in its storage compartment.
Rotterdam’s mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, has told a press conference it was not yet clear if the van and the bomb threat were connected. The driver has been taken into custody for questioning.
Police in Spain have been investigating the reach of a terror cell behind a failed bomb plot last week where attackers instead resorted to using vans to ram into pedestrians. Two plotters were killed and one seriously injured when gas cylinders being used to manufacture the bomb exploded, demolishing the house they were in.
Dutch media is reporting it was Spanish police who contacted their Netherlands counterparts to warn them of a possible impending attack. But Dutch counter-terror police have since issued a statement saying the van is not related to the Barcelona attacks.
Concert organiser Rotown said earlier on Twitter that the concert venue just south of Rotterdam, a former grain silo called Maassilo, was being evacuated because of the unspecified threat and concertgoers would get their money back.
The Wednesday night show was about to open its doors to fans when the decision to cancel it was made. The venue is capable of holding about 1000 people.
The building was evacuated and gathering fans dispersed.
Dutch television showed officers in body armour outside Maassilo and what appeared to be members of the band leaving the venue in a white van with a police escort. The band did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
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