Munich Oktoberfest Shut Down Following Bomb Threat Linked to Fatal Family Dispute

Germany's celebrated Oktoberfest was temporarily closed on Wednesday following a bomb threat, while Munich police investigated a lethal incident in another part of the city involving a house fire and explosives.

After mobilizing around a burning residential building in northern Munich that authorities described as the scene of a fatal "family dispute," police conducted a thorough search of the downtown beer festival grounds.

"Due to an unspecified bomb threat connected to the northern Munich incident, the Theresienwiese festival grounds will remain closed until 5:00 pm," police announced through their WhatsApp channel.

The emergency situation began before dawn when explosions were heard from within the burning house, prompting police commandos to rush to the location where a van parked on the street had also been set ablaze.

Authorities stated that "according to current information, the residential building was deliberately ignited as a consequence of a family dispute."

They later discovered a severely injured individual nearby who subsequently died, adding that "one other person remains unaccounted for, though there is no indication they pose any threat."

Police deployed explosive specialists to the residence in the Lerchenau district as smoke rose into the morning sky.

While the Bild newspaper reported that the deceased man was suspected of causing the explosion and fire in his parents' home before taking his own life, and that gunshots had been heard during the incident, police did not verify these details.

Authorities confirmed that "explosive devices were also found in the affected building. Special forces were summoned for their deactivation."

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung, a local newspaper, reported that the deceased suspect had issued a written threat against the Oktoberfest.

Police would only confirm that "due to an unspecified bomb threat connected to the northern Munich incident, the festival grounds on Theresienwiese will remain closed until 5:00 pm."

"Security sweeps are currently underway in the restricted access areas around the festival site," they added, instructing all staff to evacuate the premises.

Munich's mayor, Dieter Reiter, stated in an Instagram video message: "An individual threatened the Oktoberfest, and the police and coordinating committee unanimously agreed that we cannot risk allowing people to attend under these circumstances."

"Police will do everything possible to thoroughly search the entire Oktoberfest grounds by 5:00 pm today to ensure security."

"If this cannot be accomplished, I will make a further announcement, and the Oktoberfest will not open today."

The festival, running this year from September 20 to October 5, is recognized as the world's largest event of its kind, having welcomed 6.7 million visitors in 2024.