Rotterdam concert cancelled over terror tip-off

A van containing gas canisters has been discovered near a music venue in Rotterdam hours after a tip-off from Spanish police led to the cancellation of a rock concert. US band Allah-Las, who often get threats because of their name, had been due to perform at The Maassilo, but the warning led to the gig being called off at the last second. The driver of the Spain-registered van was detained by police, journalists were told. Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said it was not clear if the van and the terror threat were linked. The warning came after a heightened sense of alert after attacks in Spain in August. But judicial sources told Reuters news agency there was no direct link between the attacks and the tip from Spanish authorities. A bomb squad was examining the vehicle, reports said. Police wearing bulletproof vests were at the venue which was evacuated. Aboutaleb said: “The ring that the police set up around the concert hall led to the detention of a van with gas bottles. “Whether the van with gas bottles can be linked to the threat, that cannot now be established.”