German police, according to city officials, sealed off the Oktoberfest fairgrounds Wednesday morning after receiving communications from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich.
At least one fatality was linked to an explosion at a residential building early Wednesday, an incident Munich police stated was connected to a domestic dispute.
The identity of the deceased, whether the suspected perpetrator or another individual, was not immediately confirmed. Additionally, another person, not considered a threat to the public, remained missing.
Police confirmed that specialized units were dispatched to the building to disarm booby traps. Photographs from the vicinity also displayed a burned-out van.
Officials learned of the Oktoberfest bomb threat through a letter from the alleged perpetrator. Police conducted a search of the fairgrounds for explosives and instructed workers to vacate the area. Authorities stated the festival would remain closed until at least 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) Wednesday.
This year’s Oktoberfest commenced on September 20 and is set to conclude on October 5. The world’s largest beer festival typically draws up to 6 million visitors.
In 1980, Oktoberfest was the site of a deadly neo-Nazi attack. The bombing on the evening of September 26, 1980, resulted in 13 fatalities, including three children and the assailant, student Gundolf Koehler, a known supporter of a banned far-right group. Over 200 people were injured.