The renowned Oktoberfest festival was shut down following a fatal explosion and bomb scare that resulted in one fatality near a burning residence in Germany. A significant police operation is currently ongoing in Lerchenau, northern Munich, where bomb disposal experts rushed to a residential building deliberately set ablaze with explosives, possibly linked to the festival. The Oktoberfest fairgrounds were sealed off after a bomb threat was discovered in a letter from the alleged perpetrator. Specialized teams were called in to dismantle potential booby traps in the building, with images from the area showing a burnt-out van covered in fire-retardant foam.
Authorities conducted a thorough search of the fairgrounds for additional explosive devices, instructing workers to vacate the premises. The festival will remain closed until at least 5 pm local time on Wednesday. The street where the fire broke out was cordoned off after the suspect allegedly ignited his parents’ home amidst a family dispute. Emergency services responded to the scene early in the morning to find the building engulfed in flames, accompanied by loud noises.
Upon arrival, the police discovered an injured individual possibly linked to the incident who later succumbed to injuries. Another individual, considered harmless, remains missing. Explosive devices were uncovered in the affected building, prompting the deployment of specialized forces for bomb defusal. A nearby primary and middle school were shut down as a precaution.
Authorities are exploring potential connections to other locations, including the festival site at Theresienwiese. Munich Police released statements indicating that the residential building was intentionally set ablaze amid a family conflict, resulting in the death of the injured person found. The search for explosive traps in the building is ongoing, with investigations extending to various locations in Munich, causing delays in opening the festival grounds.
Heavily armed officers from the Southern Bavaria Special Forces (SEK) carried out a raid on the suspect’s apartment in Starnberg, ensuring it was clear of explosives before entry. Oktoberfest, known for drawing six to seven million attendees annually, stands as the world’s largest beer festival. Recent statistics reveal an average attendance of around 7 million visitors, with a record high of 7.2 million in 2023.
In a tragic historical event, Oktoberfest was targeted in 1980 by a deadly neo-Nazi assault, claiming 13 lives, including three children and the attacker, Gundolf Koehler. Over 200 individuals sustained injuries in the bombing incident.
