The Munich Oktoberfest beer festival is set to reopen on Wednesday evening following an hours-long shutdown caused by a bomb threat from an individual connected to an explosion at a residential building in the northern part of the city, as reported by officials.
Authorities stated that initial results suggested the suspect — a 57-year-old German national — had taken his own life close to a lake in northern Munich.
This occurred following him setting his family home on fire because of a domestic conflict and making a bomb threat towards Oktoberfest, as reported by the authorities.
The beer festival was closed on Wednesday morning but planned to reopen at 5:30 pm following a police security check that revealed no threats.
The individual, who resided in the town of Starnberg located south of Munich, was found with a backpack holding an explosive item, as reported by authorities.
Officials stated that the explosion early in the morning in a residential building in northern Munich — which had been intentionally set ablaze — seemed to be related to a family conflict.
The 81-year-old mother of the suspect and her 21-year-old daughter, who holds dual German-Brazilian citizenship, were injured and admitted to the hospital for medical care, according to authorities.
Specialized units were dispatched to the location to neutralize explosive devices within the apartment complex. Images from the vicinity also revealed a charred van on the road.
During the first investigation, a letter from the suspect discovered close to the crime site included a “vague” reference to explosives connected with Oktoberfest, as reported by officials.
Images from the Oktoberfest area depicted officers in bright vests walking along almost-empty sidewalks close to roller coasters and other amusements that are part of the world’s biggest beer celebration, which typically draws up to 6 million guests.
Germany’s Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, stated that inspections were carried out using detection dogs and technological equipment at the location. Over 500 officers were involved.
The 2023 Oktoberfest commenced on September 20 and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
Many years ago, Oktoberfest became the victim of a tragic neo-Nazi attack. A bombing on September 26, 1980, resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, including three children and the perpetrator, student Gundolf Koehler, who was affiliated with an outlawed far-right organization. Over 200 people were injured.
