Police operation in Dortmund – 80,000 fans had to stay in the stadium after the final whistle
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During the top Bundesliga game against Leverkusen, a suspicious vehicle was discovered in a parking lot at the Dortmund stadium. The police ruled that spectators were initially not allowed to leave the arena. After more than half an hour, the all-clear was given.
Dhe announcement by the Dortmund stadium announcer came in the 88th minute of the game. “Due to a police operation outside the stadium, we ask all fans to stay in the stadium after the final whistle. We will inform you as soon as the stadium can be vacated.”
A measure that was repeated several times in the following minutes. Nobody was supposed to go outside, and so after the end of the top game on Matchday 1 an unusual picture presented itself. The ranks remained full even after BVB’s 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. 81,365 spectators watched the game.
Suspicious vehicle with the engine running
“Sky” presenter Sebastian Hellmann clarified in the presence of Dortmund’s sports director Sebastian Kehl on TV. Accordingly, a suspicious vehicle was discovered in a parking lot at the stadium. The car was parked with the engine running, but no one was found.
“Since it cannot be ruled out that this vehicle could pose a threat, all stadium visitors are asked not to leave the stadium after the game has ended. Please stay in your seats and behave calmly,” tweeted the Dortmund police shortly after the end of the game: “We are currently taking our first measures to eliminate the dangerous situation. So that the police measures can be carried out undisturbed, we ask everyone to avoid the area around the stadium. We will inform you when the dangerous situation has been resolved.”
At 8.48 p.m., half an hour after the end of the game, the police reported again via the short message service: “Current information on the #hazard situation in #dortmund: A request from your #police: The cell phone networks could be busy due to the operation at Signal Iduna Park . Help us to transfer information and restrict its use.”
A little later, however, the stands emptied. An indication that the dangerous situation could be successfully eliminated. At 8.54 p.m. the police informed: “The stadium visitors are now allowed to leave the Signal Iduna Park. Please behave calmly and follow the instructions of the security forces.”