Oktoberfest in shock: bomb threat and house fire shake Munich

Oktoberfest in shock: bomb threat and house fire shake Munich

Something is currently brewing in Munich that is heating up tempers. The popular Oktoberfest festivities, which once again attract many visitors this year, are in jeopardy due to serious safety concerns. A fire in a residential building linked to a bomb threat has put the city on alert. Wounded people, booby traps found and the search for a suspect are a massive concern for the police and fire departments in the Bavarian capital, as [merkur.de](https://www.merkur.de/deutschland/gesperrt-karte-Shows-operation-places-bomb-threat-in-muenchen- Sprengfallen-found-oktoberfest-93964411.html) reports.

The impetus for this dramatic situation came recently from a devastating fire in Lerchenau. A man who was targeted by investigators set a house on fire here and then left booby traps. It was tragic that he was later found dead at Lake Lerchenauer. The circumstances of his death indicate that he probably took his own life. At the time of the events, he did not have any weapons or explosives licenses and is said to have written the threatening letter against the Oktoberfest, which the police classified as dangerous, as tagesschau.de notes.

Oktoberfest under high tension

Due to the impending danger, the Oktoberfest was temporarily closed. Mayor Dieter Reiter announced via Instagram that the city is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of visitors. The Oktoberfest is currently empty until the area is thoroughly searched - 25 to 30 explosives detection dogs and over 500 police officers are on duty to create a safe environment for everyone. “Our safety has priority,” emphasizes Reiter, who at the same time distanced himself from possible political motives and classified the violent crime as a family dispute, according to br.de.

“Another tragic chapter,” said one affected visitor, as the Munich police continue their consultations about the incidents. As the tension rises, the flow of visitors is widely diverted by the emergency services. As one of the first safety measures, the subway stops its stop at Theresienwiese to avoid unrest and possible panic. The agency is calling on concerned citizens to provide collected information or images of the events to further advance the investigation.

Far-reaching consequences and outlook

The situation remains tense and unclear because many questions are still unanswered: What really was the suspect's motive and how will this affect the Oktoberfest? The investigators are working intensively to shed light on the matter. In order to eliminate any uncertainty, the mayor does not rule out the possibility that the Oktoberfest will remain closed on Wednesday if the searches cannot be completed in time.

The entire population of Munich is called upon to be vigilant. In this context, it is important that security precautions are taken seriously. Continued reporting on current developments is a must to keep everyone informed.