UCL Game Postponed after Explosions near Dortmund Bus

A statement from local police said, “In the run-up to the Champions League match of BVB [Borussia Dortmund] against AS Monaco, there was an explosion near the BVB team bus shortly after 7pm. The location of the event is Wittbräuckerstraße/Schirrmannweg in Dortmund-Höchsten.”

“According to current knowledge the wheels of the bus (whole or partial) burst and one person was injured. It is not yet possible to say exactly what the explosion was or exactly where something exploded.”

Borussia Dortmund’s Marc Bartra was reportedly injured after explosion near the team bus, The Guardian reported.

A tweet from the German club’s official Twitter account an hour before kick-off at the Westfalenstadion had first alerted news of an incident. “At our bus departure, an incident has occurred. One person was injured. More information to follow,” it read.

A later tweet read: “A bomb exploded at the team bus next to the hotel. The players are safe. There is no danger at the stadium” before the club confirmed the match has been rearranged for Wednesday, kicking off at 6.45pm local time.

The Spain international Bartra, 26, have been taken to a local hospital with superficial cuts to his arm. According to Bild, three explosive devices were deposited on the street in front of the bus although police have yet to give any more details.