Oktoberfest closed after bomb threat in Munich – Explosions and gunfire reported

A authorities of exigency has been declared since the aboriginal hours of Wednesday successful bluish Munich, wherever a large constabulary and occurrence brigade cognition is underway. Special forces and weaponry disposal units person besides been deployed, arsenic authorities analyse imaginable links to Oktoberfest. As a precautionary measure, the brew festival remained closed connected Wednesday morning.

Police expressed important interest that the incidental whitethorn beryllium connected to Oktoberfest. In a connection they said: “At this time, we are investigating each imaginable directions. We are examining imaginable connections to different areas successful Munich, including Theresienwiese.”

It should beryllium noted that Oktoberfest is the world’s largest people festival, held annually successful Munich’s Theresienwiese quadrate successful the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district. It lasts 2 weeks and ends the archetypal play of October.

According to Bild, determination were reports of explosions and gunfire successful the city. Around 04:40 a.m., the occurrence brigade received a telephone astir a occurrence successful a residential building. Shortly afterward, reports of large bangs were recorded.

A abbreviated clip later, a antheral assemblage with gunshot wounds was recovered adjacent Lake Lerchenauer. Police judge the deceased had antecedently booby-trapped the location — reportedly his parents’ location — with explosives and acceptable it connected occurrence earlier committing suicide.

The antheral was recovered carrying a backpack, raising concerns it could incorporate explosives. Bomb disposal experts are connected the country conducting inspections. For information reasons, constabulary initially accessed the country lone by helicopter.

Authorities are besides searching for different idiosyncratic who has been reported missing. According to police, their disappearance is not believed to airs a danger. Lake Lerchenauer is astir a five-minute thrust from the residence that caught fire.

Police person cordoned disconnected a ample conception of Lerchenauer Straße successful bluish Munich and are advising residents and drivers to debar the country oregon instrumentality alternate routes. A adjacent simple and mediate schoolhouse connected Toni-Pfülf-Straße volition stay closed until the probe is complete.