Counter-terrorism agency aware of threat against festival at Ahoy Rotterdam

The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) is aware of a report from Germany that terrorists may be targeting Festival de Liebe at Ahoy in Rotterdam on March 7 and 8. The Rotterdam authorities are also looking into it. “The police are investigating,” a spokesperson for Rotterdam mayor Carola Schouten told the media.

The NCTV pointed out that the terrorism threat level in the Netherlands has been at 4 out of 5 since December 2023. “This means that there is a real chance that an attack will occur in the Netherlands,” the agency said. The NCTV is looking at “in what way any additional measures are necessary.”

A spokesperson for Ahoy Rotterdam told RTL Nieuws that it, too, was aware of the threat and has contacted the police. “Of course, safety is paramount for Rotterdam, Ahoy, its visitors, and employees.”

A police spokesperson told ANP that they are “collecting information to get a good picture and, in consultation with Ahoy, we are looking at what measures are necessary.”

Chantal Janzen and Jan Smit present the Festival der Liebe. Their agencies told RTL Nieuws that they take the reports seriously and are in contact with the venue.