Berlin (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Oktoberfest, Munich’s famous folk festival, was shut after a suicide note warned of a bomb; police found explosives and the suspect died.
As reported by The Telegraph, Munich authorities closed Oktoberfest after discovering a bomb threat in a suspect’s suicide note.
A house in Lerchenau, northern Munich, was set ablaze and booby-trapped, prompting police and firefighters to respond around 4:40 am Wednesday.
How did a suspect’s suicide note shut down Oktoberfest?
According to local reports, the suspect involved in the Lerchenau arson was discovered at Lerchenauer Lake with self-inflicted gunshot wounds and later died.
Authorities said in a statement that the house was owned by the suspect’s parents. They added it was “deliberately set on fire in the context of a family dispute.”
Witnesses said they heard gunshot-like sounds after the fire. Emergency services later found three burnt-out vehicles. These included a minibus, located a few hundred metres from the house on Glockenblumenstraße.
Officials confirmed they deployed special units to defuse explosives inside the home.
Police reported the suspect carried a backpack potentially containing explosives, while another person remains missing but poses no danger.
Authorities are searching the festival grounds and have instructed staff to leave Oktoberfest and assemble in a designated area. They also reported further security steps in response to an unspecified explosives risk
What did Munich mayor say about the Oktoberfest bomb threat?
According to Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter, police discovered a letter from the deceased suspect. The letter contained a verified bomb threat targeting Oktoberfest.
He confirmed that authorities received a letter from the suspect, who had explosives experience.
The mayor said the threat was so detailed that it had to be taken seriously.
Mr Reiter stated in the city council’s plenary session, “We can’t take the risk of opening Oktoberfest.”
Police’s stance on possible links to the Oktoberfest threat
A police spokesperson stated,
“We are currently investigating all avenues. Possible connections with other locations in Munich are being examined, including the Theresienwiese [the site of the Oktoberfest].”
What measures are in place during Oktoberfest shutdown?
Munich residents received an “Extreme Danger” alert via the city’s Integrated Control Center, notifying all compatible smartphones, authorities said.
Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk festival, opened on September 20 and is scheduled to run until October 5.
According to its website, Oktoberfest will remain closed until 4pm (GMT) Wednesday following the northern Munich explosion.
Oktoberfest festival attack
The 1980 Oktoberfest bombing was the deadliest attack in the festival’s history. It killed 13 people, including the perpetrator, and injured over 200 others.
Gundolf Köhler, a geology student and member of a banned neo-Nazi militia, carried out the attack with right-wing extremist motives. His aim was to influence an upcoming federal election.
Initial investigations viewed it as a personal act, but a 2020 federal probe confirmed Köhler’s political intentions.
Key facts about the Oktoberfest festival
Oktoberfest started on October 12, 1810, to celebrate Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding with a horse race at Theresienwiese. Today, it’s the world’s biggest folk festival, drawing millions of visitors every year.
In 2023, a record 7.2 million people attended, while 3.6 million came in 2024. The festival is full of beer halls, parades, rides, and traditions like the Costume Parade and the mayor tapping the first keg.