Borussia Dortmund's Game with Monaco Cancelled after Explosion Near Team Bus
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Borussia Dortmund's team bus was hit by three explosions while on its way to the Champions League semi-final against Monaco on Tuesday evening, leaving one player injured in hospital.
German security sources said it was a targeted attack on the team bus, shattering one of the vehicle's windows. Police said "serious explosive devices" were used.
A letter found near the site of the attack "takes responsibility for the act", a German prosecutor said, the Telegraph reported.
There were reports the devices, which were concealed in a hedge, could have detonated by a mobile phone or a garage door-opening device.
High levels of security were in place across the city on Tuesday night and there will be a large security force presence at Wednesday night's game, police said, adding they did not want to jump to conclusions that the attack was terror-related.
Germany is on high terror alert following a spate of recent attacks, several of which have been claimed by the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.
Spanish international, Marc Bartra, was undergoing an operation for a broken hand, a club spokesman said.
"The bus turned onto the main road, when there was a huge noise - a big explosion," Dortmund's Swiss goalkeeper Roman Burki said.
"After the bang, we all crouched down in the bus. Anyone who could, threw himself on the floor.
"We did not know if more would come."
Burki said Bartra was "hit by splinters of broken glass".
The game was postponed to Wednesday evening, with Borussia Dortmund fans offering Monaco supporters accommodation in the city so they can watch the match. Monaco fans had chanted in solidarity with their Dortmund rivals.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund chief executive, said: "The whole team is in a state of shock, you can't get pictures like that out of your head.
"I hope the team will be in a position to be able to compete tomorrow on the pitch.
"In a crisis situation like this, Borussia pulls together."
Lukasz Piszczek, a defender for Dortmund, said: "As we were driving alongside a number of cars, a bomb went off at the side of the road. Bartra has cast on his arm. He's in the hospital."
The incident sparked memories of the suicide bomb attack at the Stade de France during the Paris attacks of November 2015.
