Netherlands rock concert canceled amid terror threat

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A venue in Rotterdam, Netherlands, canceled a concert by a U.S. rock band after police there issued a terror alert over a suspicious van, local officials said Wednesday.

The band, Allah-Las, was scheduled to play at Maassilo Wednesday night, but earlier in the day, police evacuated the building. Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said the concert was canceled in response to a tip-off by Spanish police investigating terror attacks in Catalonia that killed 15 people last week.

Maassilo issued a statement on Twitter saying it canceled the concert on advice by police.

Rotterdam police said they arrested a man driving a bus with a Spanish license plate. Inside the bus, they found gas canisters and police are investigating a possible link between the concert venue and the vehicle.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in the Netherlands advised U.S. citizens to avoid the area of the concert hall.

"Police have closed off the area, and heavy police presence is on the scene," a statement said.