Police in the German city of Munich have announced that the Oktoberfest venue will reopen on Wednesday evening after being shut down earlier in response to a bomb threat related to a house fire in the north of the city.
The fire, reportedly caused by a 57-year-old man during a family dispute, involved explosives, leading to heightened security alerts. Tragically, the man's body was discovered later near a lake with a backpack containing what appeared to be an explosive device.
Following the discovery of a letter from the suspect indicating a 'non-specific bomb threat' to Oktoberfest, authorities closed down the annual beer festival for several hours while bomb disposal teams and sniffer dogs meticulously searched the venue.
By 5:30 PM local time (15:30 GMT), the police confirmed that their investigation was complete and the Theresienwiese, where the festival is held, would reopen its doors. Oktoberfest, regarded as the world's largest folk and beer festival, attracted over 3.5 million visitors before the incident.
Simultaneously, a large-scale emergency response was underway in the Lerchenau area, with investigators looking into possible connections between the house fire and other locations across the city, including the festival site.
Reports indicated that the police were alerted to explosions early Wednesday morning, which resulted in nearby vehicles catching fire. Special forces were dispatched to defuse potential booby traps found within the suspect’s residence.
The suspect's family, including his 81-year-old mother and 21-year-old daughter, were injured in the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment. Fortunately, authorities stated that there are no indications of danger at other locations in Munich.
As Oktoberfest continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of attendees and addressing any lingering security concerns.
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