Oktoberfest grounds closed due to bomb threat

Update: The Oktoberfest festival grounds are now expected to reopen at 5.30pm on October 1.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) has announced that the Oktoberfest festival grounds will remain closed until at least 5pm on October 1 due to a bomb threat.

Police close Oktoberfest Wiesn following bomb threat

The Oktoberfest festival grounds in Munich, also known as the Wiesn, are expected to remain closed until at least 5pm on Wednesday. Süddeutsche Zeitung reported the closure was due to a “verified explosive warning”.

According to the local newspaper, Müncher Merkur, further details of the closure are unclear. Tagesspiegel reports that the bomb threat is connected to a police operation in the northern district of Lerchenau, which began in the early hours of this morning.

"Possible connections with other locations in Munich are being assessed, including the Wiesn," the police wrote on X. "For this reason, the opening of the festival grounds is delayed". 

Large police operation in Munich’s Lerchenau district

The emergency operation was triggered by a fire in a detached house and three cars burning in Lerchenau. According to multiple reports, these vehicles were nearby but not directly in front of the house. Police also heard gunshots at the scene.

As of 10.20am, three people have been reported dead in relation to the fire. The large police operation has led to traffic disruption in northern Munich, and one school will remain closed for the day.