Munich officials have delayed the opening of the Theresienwiese festival grounds, home to Oktoberfest, following a deadly fire and a related bomb threat in the city. Authorities reported that a residential building in the Lerchenau district was deliberately set on fire amid a family dispute, resulting in the death of one person and leaving another missing. Booby traps were also discovered in the building, prompting the deployment of special forces to safely defuse the devices.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine possible links between the incident and other locations in Munich, including the festival grounds. As a precaution, Mayor Dieter Reiter announced that Oktoberfest will remain closed until at least 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
Oktoberfest, widely regarded as the world’s largest folk and beer festival, attracts millions of visitors each year. This year, over 3.5 million people have already attended the event, which runs from 20 September to 5 October. The delay comes as a significant disruption to one of Munich’s key cultural and economic events.
Emergency personnel remain on-site in Lerchenau, conducting a large-scale operation to ensure the safety of residents and festival-goers alike. Authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant and follow official updates as investigations continue.
The fire in Lerchenau is believed to have been a deliberate act related to a family dispute, but authorities are treating all potential threats seriously due to the discovery of explosives and the proximity of high-profile public events.
Munich police have stressed that while one person is missing, they are not believed to pose a danger to the public. Investigators continue to examine whether there are broader connections that could impact public safety in the city.
Stay tuned for further updates as local authorities manage the emergency response and ensure that Oktoberfest can resume safely.
