Wiesn reopened: Police calm down after shocking incident in Munich

Wiesn reopened: Police calm down after shocking incident in Munich

On October 1, 2025, Oktoberfest, also known as Wiesn, reopened after a temporary closure. This decision, announced at 5:30 p.m., followed coordination between the city, the police and the Oktoberfest hosts. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) assured that, according to the police, the Oktoberfest could continue safely after an alarm was triggered. The closure was in response to a serious incident in Munich, which resulted in a fire and explosions in a residential building. A bomb threat against the Oktoberfest was discovered, which was found in a letter that was assigned to a 57-year-old suspect.

The regular start of Oktoberfest would have been at 10 a.m. on the same day. However, the event was closed on Wednesday morning until the evening hours due to the threats and the associated security concerns. During the state of emergency in Munich, police and helicopters were deployed to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of citizens. A warning message was sent to cell phones in Munich indicating the “extreme danger.” The closure of the Oktoberfest interrupted the festivities for guests, while reservations could be rebooked, leaving guests with bookings unaffected.

Details about the incident

A serious crime triggered the security alarm. A 57-year-old German shot his 90-year-old father, injured his 81-year-old mother and then set his parents' house on fire in a dispute over possible inheritance matters. The suspect's daughter, a 21-year-old, was rescued from the window using a ladder and only suffered minor injuries. Her mother was also taken to the hospital, while the perpetrator's mother was found seriously injured outside the house.

In addition to these shocking events, police found hand grenades with trip wires in the apartment building. The suspect later took his own life after he was found at Lake Lerchenauer with an explosive device in a backpack. A special operations team (SEK) then raided the perpetrator's apartment, but no further booby traps were discovered. Investigators describe the incident as a deliberate arson that resulted from a family dispute.

Historical context

This recent incident of bomb threats against Oktoberfest brings back memories of the devastating terrorist attack on September 26, 1980, considered the worst in post-war German history. The attack, carried out by right-wing extremists, claimed numerous victims and was accompanied by a memorial service in Munich attended by around 200 people, including survivors and relatives of the victims. Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) was present at this event to commemorate the events and address the ongoing threat from right-wing extremism.

Mayor Dieter Reiter emphasized the importance of anchoring the memories of the attack and the associated lessons in Bavarian curricula. A constant examination of history and current threats is essential to raise awareness and justice for the victims.

These complex and tragic events raise concerns about the security and influence of extremism in today's society. Even though Oktoberfest has now reopened, the tension remains present.

For further details and information on these current events please see here: crown, T Online, South Germans.