Munich, Oct 1 — Police ordered the closure of the Oktoberfest fairgrounds on Wednesday morning after receiving a bomb threat linked to the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich earlier in the day.
According to city officials, the threat was contained in a letter from the alleged attacker. Workers at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds were evacuated while specialized teams searched the venue for potential explosive devices. Authorities confirmed the festival will remain closed until at least 5:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT).
The temporary closure has disrupted the ongoing Oktoberfest, the world’s largest public fair, which began on September 20 and runs until October 5. The event traditionally attracts up to 6 million visitors and remains one of the most important tourism and hospitality drivers for the Bavarian capital.
Industry Impact
Security alerts at globally significant public gatherings like Oktoberfest highlight the increasing challenges faced by the exhibitions and events industry worldwide. Organisers and venue managers are under growing pressure to adopt stringent safety protocols, emergency evacuation measures, and risk management strategies.
For trade fairs and mega-events, such incidents emphasize the importance of close coordination with local authorities and law enforcement to protect visitors and maintain international confidence in attending large-scale gatherings. While disruptions are costly, the swift action by Munich police underlines the industry’s shared responsibility: safety before scale.