Germany’s world-famous Oktoberfest was temporarily closed on Wednesday after a bomb threat linked to a house explosion in Munich, officials confirmed.
Police said a residential home in the city’s Lerchenau district had been rigged with explosives and deliberately set on fire. Firefighters and a bomb squad rushed to the scene as thick smoke rose over the area. A man, found badly injured near the property, later died of his wounds.
According to German media, the explosion may have been triggered by the victim himself in his parents’ home, with reports of shots fired during the incident. Police, however, have not confirmed that account.
Authorities said they were probing any possible connection between the blast and Oktoberfest, held annually at Munich’s Theresienwiese fairgrounds. “Due to a bomb threat in connection with the explosion in northern Munich, Theresienwiese will remain closed until 5:00 pm for the time being,” read a statement on the festival’s official website.
Oktoberfest, the world’s largest funfair, runs this year from September 20 to October 5 and attracted 6.7 million visitors in 2024.
What you should know
Munich’s Oktoberfest, dating back to 1810, is one of Germany’s most iconic cultural events, drawing millions from across the globe.
This temporary closure is highly unusual, highlighting the seriousness of the security threat.
