Home / Crime and Justice / Bomb Threat Prompts Oktoberfest Closure in Munich
Bomb Threat Prompts Oktoberfest Closure in Munich
1 Oct
Summary
- Bomb threat forces closure of Oktoberfest fairgrounds
- Deadly explosion linked to domestic dispute, not public threat
- Specialized teams called to defuse booby traps in building
On October 1, 2025, authorities in Munich, Germany were forced to close the Oktoberfest fairgrounds after receiving a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion at a residential building earlier that morning. The explosion, which was deliberately set on fire, resulted in at least one death and was part of a domestic dispute. It was not immediately clear whether the deceased was the suspected perpetrator or someone else, and another person remained missing.
Specialized teams were called to the scene to defuse booby traps in the building, and photos from the area showed a burned-out van. Officials discovered the bomb threat to Oktoberfest in a letter from the alleged perpetrator, prompting a search of the fairgrounds for other explosive devices. As a precaution, workers were asked to leave the area, and the festival will remain closed at least until 5 p.m. local time on October 1.
This year's Oktoberfest, which began on September 20 and was scheduled to run until October 5, typically attracts up to 6 million visitors. The closure of the fairgrounds is a significant disruption to the world's largest beer festival.
