Munich’s Oktoberfest Closed Due to Bomb Threat

A bomb threat has forced officials to close Munich’s Oktoberfest celebrations at least until 5 p.m. local time Wednesday.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter said Tuesday that the threat followed an incident in the north of the city where explosives were found inside a burning house in the Lerchenau district, and that several cars nearby had been set on fire. The street where the explosives were found has been evacuated, and special bomb disposal units are on site. One person has been reported dead and police said that the incident is most likely tied to a family dispute.

Oktoberfest takes place in an area called the Wiesn (shorthand for Theresienwiese). The area where the explosives were found is about 5 miles north of the Wiesn, and police have not made a connection to the festival. However, authorities still shut down the festival because of the threat, at least into Wednesday evening. Authorities said they are searching the Wiesn festival grounds and the surrounding areas.

According to the Munich Police, investigations are ongoing. Authorities will make a decision on the next step, including a possible reopening or a continued closure through Wednesday, later today.

“We are currently investigating in all directions. Possible connections to other locations in Munich are being examined, including the Theresienwiese. For this reason, the opening of the festival grounds is delayed,” the police said in a translated statement on Wednesday.

Oktoberfest is among the largest public festivals in the world, drawing 5.7 million, 7.2 million, and 6.7 million visitors in each of the last three years.