Authorities shut down Munich's world-famous Oktoberfest festival following a bomb threat connected to a fatal fire in the city's northern district.
Munich police announced the closure of the Theresienwiese festival grounds until 5 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a threatening letter from a perpetrator. The ABC News report detailed how the threat emerged following a deadly residential fire in the Lerchenau area.
Police said they would make a decision on further action during the early afternoon hours. The closure affected thousands of visitors who had planned to attend the traditional German celebration on Wednesday.
Deadly Fire Sparks Security Concerns
A residential building fire in northern Munich's Lerchenau district killed one person Wednesday morning, according to authorities. Police and fire department personnel responded to reports of a burning building accompanied by loud explosive sounds.
Investigators determined the residential structure was deliberately set ablaze during what they described as a family dispute. The injured person discovered at the scene subsequently died from their injuries.
Police confirmed that another individual remains missing but poses no danger to the public. The incident prompted a major emergency response that began at 4:45 a.m. local time.
Explosive Devices Found At Scene
Authorities discovered explosive devices within the burned residential building during their investigation. Special forces units were called to the location to safely defuse the dangerous materials found on the property.
Police spokesman Thomas Schelshorn described the situation as a "major operation" involving multiple emergency services. The response included cordoning off the affected area and conducting thorough search measures.
Munich police later confirmed to news outlets that the deceased person found at the residence was likely the suspect. This development provided investigators with crucial information about the incident's perpetrator.
Festival Closure Creates Widespread Impact
The Oktoberfest closure affected the traditional festival held on the Theresienwiese grounds west of Munich's city center. Police cited the bomb threat as directly connected to the morning's deadly fire incident.
Schelshorn explained that authorities also discovered burning vehicles near the residential fire and a deceased individual at nearby Lerchenau Lake. These additional discoveries may be related to the same incident, according to police statements.
The festival's delayed opening disappointed thousands of visitors who had traveled to Munich for the celebration. Authorities emphasized that safety concerns necessitated the precautionary closure until late afternoon.
Investigation Continues Into Connected Incidents
Police characterized the threat against the Oktoberfest as "unspecified" but serious enough to warrant extensive security measures. The threatening letter received by authorities prompted immediate action to protect festival attendees.
Emergency responders continued their work at the Lerchenau fire scene throughout Wednesday morning. The investigation involves determining the full scope of the family dispute that triggered the deadly incident.
Munich authorities assured the public that they were taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety. The decision to keep Oktoberfest closed until 5 p.m. reflects the serious nature of the security threat facing the city.
