Oktoberfest reopens after Munich bomb scare – DW – 10/01/2025

Munich Police Deputy President Christian Huber then went on to explain why an “already very dramatic” police operation became even more sensitive hours before Oktoberfest opened its gates on Wednesday.

“In the course of our preliminary investigations, we found a note written by the suspect, in which — along with several other aspects — a bomb threat directed at the Oktoberfest could also be interpreted,” Huber said.

The timing was conspicuous, just hours before the Theresienwiese was set to open for vistors on Wednesday, he said. 

“It was necessary to quickly decide: How will we deal with this aspect, this threat to the Oktoberfest?” Huber explained.

He said emergency services, organizers and local officials then decided in close consultation that they would not open the grounds as planned, at least not at first. This was in part to avoid a potential situation of having to close the area and clear it of visitors in the case the threat solidified. 

Police used the time with the area closed to the public during the day to search it thoroughly with explosives experts and specialist canine units, Huber said. 

“The large tents are examined daily anyway, but we expanded these checks appropriately and also examined areas outside the tents,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Huber said, investigative teams sought to evaluate the suspect’s note and the seriousness of his apparent threat, which by mid-afternoon they deemed did not pose a genuine risk. 

“By mid-afternoon we reached the decision that we will open the festival grounds and the Oktoberfest can start at around 5:30 p.m.,” he said.