GERMANY’S Oktoberfest was forced to stay shut after a bomb threat which police linked to a fatal fire in a house rigged with explosives.
One person died near the house fire, with gunshots also reported, and cops think the perpetrator could be behind the beer festival bomb threat.
EPAEmergency services and police at the scene after explosive devices were found in a burning house in Munich[/caption]
EPAA burned-out vehicle covered in extinguishing foam after a fire in Munich[/caption]
APThe Oktoberfest area lies empty today after a bomb threat[/caption]
In the early hours of this morning, emergency services were called to reports of a fire and several explosions at a house in the north of the city.
A bomb squad was dispatched as police said the property had been rigged with explosives and then torched, sending a column of smoke into the sky.
A badly wounded man was found a short distance away and later died of his injuries, police said.
Bild reported that a man was suspected of sparking the explosive fire in his parents’ house before killing himself, but police did not confirm this.
There were unconfirmed reports that shots were fired during the complex incident.
Cops also found a letter containing a threat against Oktoberfest, which should have opened its doors at 11am.
A thorough search of the site is underway, which Munich police said will “take some time”.
The festival posted on its website: “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.”
Mayor Dieter Reiter said this morning: “The police will do everything to have the entire Wiesn searched by 5 p.m. this afternoon, if possible, to ensure safety.
“If that’s not the case, I’ll get in touch again, and then the Wiesn won’t open at all today.”
Officials are investigating a possible Antifa link – the extremist far-left “Anti-fascist” movement – after a post titled “Antifa means attack” was published this morning.
Oktoberfest in Munich, held this year from September 20 to October 5, is considered the world’s largest funfair.
It welcomed 6.7 million visitors in 2024.
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AFPPolice at the Theresienwiese in Munich, where Oktoberfest was due to open[/caption]
APA police officer inspects a burned car after a fire in Munich[/caption]
EPADebris next to two damaged after explosive devices were found[/caption]