Oktoberfest Fairgrounds Closed Amid Bomb Threat

German authorities shut down the Oktoberfest venues on Wednesday morning due to bomb threats related to an explosion in northern Munich, according to city officials.

One fatality is reported in connection with an explosion at a residential building earlier that day. Munich police indicated that the fire was deliberately set, attributing it to a domestic conflict.

It’s unclear if the deceased was one of the suspected attackers or another individual. Additionally, there’s one more person missing, but they’re not deemed a threat to public safety.

A specialized team was dispatched to the site to address potential explosives, while images from the area highlighted charred vehicles.

Authorities discovered bomb threats targeting Oktoberfest through letters from suspected individuals. In response, police initiated a search of the fairgrounds for other possible explosive devices and ordered workers to evacuate. Officials announced the festival would remain closed until at least 5 PM local time on Wednesday.

This year’s Oktoberfest is scheduled to kick off on September 20 and conclude on October 5, attracting millions of visitors to the world’s largest beer festival.

Historically, Oktoberfest has faced serious threats. For instance, in 1980, a neo-Nazi bombing during the festival resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including three children, along with over 200 injuries.