Authorities in Munich have announced a delay to the opening of the world-famous Oktoberfest. This decision comes after a tragic fire at a residential building in the city’s Lerchenau district, which resulted in one fatality, and a subsequent bomb threat. The festival grounds will remain closed until at least 17:00 (15:00 GMT) today.
The incident at the residential building is believed to be part of a family dispute, with investigators also discovering potential booby traps that required the intervention of special forces. The police are currently investigating possible connections between this event and other locations, including the Oktoberfest venue itself.
Oktoberfest, a massive celebration of Bavarian culture, typically runs for over two weeks and draws millions of visitors from around the globe. This unexpected security concern has cast a shadow over the event’s commencement.