Munich's Oktoberfest resumed operations Wednesday afternoon after a bomb threat, stemming from a fatal explosion in northern Munich earlier the same day, forced a temporary closure of the world's largest beer festival. The fairgrounds, which had been shut down since Wednesday morning, reopened at 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) following a comprehensive security sweep. The festival had originally commenced on September 20th and was scheduled to conclude on October 5th.
The security alert at Oktoberfest was a direct consequence of an explosion in a residential building in northern Munich that claimed at least one life. Munich police indicated the explosion was linked to a domestic dispute, and investigations revealed the building had been intentionally set ablaze. While the identity of the deceased remains unconfirmed, authorities were also investigating a missing person, though this individual was not deemed a public threat.
Specialized teams were deployed to the explosion site to search for potential explosive traps, and a burned-out van was discovered nearby. The bomb threat against Oktoberfest was delivered via a letter attributed to the individual responsible for the northern Munich incident. In response, Munich police conducted an extensive search of the Oktoberfest grounds for any additional devices, directing festival staff to evacuate.
The incident underscores the persistent challenges in ensuring public safety at large-scale events, particularly when threats originate from isolated incidents with potentially localized motives. Although the precise motive behind the explosion and subsequent threat is still under investigation, some unconfirmed reports suggest a possible connection to online posts claiming responsibility for attacks on luxury cars in northern Munich. The closure of the Oktoberfest, which typically attracts around seven million visitors, with a record of 7.2 million in 2023, highlighted the critical need for constant vigilance and adaptable security protocols for major public gatherings.