(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – In a formal assessment of the recent large-scale security operation in Munich, representatives from both the CDU/CSU and SPD parties expressed strong approval of the actions taken by law enforcement authorities. The CDU’s spokesperson for internal affairs, Alexander Throm, emphasized that major public events such as the Oktoberfest have long been subject to rigorous security protocols, particularly in Munich, where heightened vigilance has prevailed since the right-wing extremist attack in 1980. He noted that contemporary events are frequently exposed to a variety of latent threats, thereby necessitating swift and resolute intervention. Throm considered the response of Bavarian authorities to be exemplary in this regard, reflecting a well-established commitment to public safety.
Sebastian Fiedler, the SPD’s spokesperson for internal affairs, similarly affirmed the preparedness of Germany’s security services for managing large public gatherings. He referred to the persistent abstract threat level that has characterized the national security landscape for many years, influencing the strategic planning of events such as Christmas markets, local fairs, and the Oktoberfest. Fiedler explained that comprehensive security concepts are routinely developed in advance and are the result of coordinated efforts among emergency responders, municipal administrations, and event organizers. He maintained that the professionalism of German security forces is evident both in their behind-the-scenes operations and in their visible presence during events, asserting that no major gathering can be safely conducted without such precautionary measures. The Oktoberfest was temporarily suspended following a bomb threat, which was later deemed to be unsubstantiated.
Mayor Dieter Reiter indicated that the origin of the threat was linked to a domestic dispute. In response to the threat, the festival grounds were evacuated and thoroughly searched with the assistance of sniffer dogs. The incident was associated with a fire in Munich’s Lerchenau district, where a man had reportedly set fire to a residential building and planted explosive devices. The resulting explosions led to a large-scale emergency response, during which two women sustained injuries. As a precautionary measure, Lerchenauer Straße was cordoned off, and a nearby school was temporarily closed to ensure public safety. The suspect was later found deceased near a nearby lake, and authorities reported that he had been carrying a backpack containing an explosive mechanism.
The Integrated Control Center Munich later confirmed that police operations had concluded and that the threat level had been reassessed as non-critical. The Oktoberfest resumed at 17:30, following its initial closure at 11:04 on 1 October 2025. Authorities continued to advise the public to remain informed through local media channels.
Investigations into the connection between the bomb threat and the explosive devices found during the Lerchenau fire were ongoing. The fire department successfully extinguished the blaze, which had resulted in at least one confirmed fatality and one missing person. Police stated that the fire had been deliberately set in the context of a family dispute, prompting the deployment of bomb disposal experts. In the evening, a second body was discovered within the burned residence, believed to be the 90-year-old father of the perpetrator.
Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) justified the decision to close the Oktoberfest, citing a letter the suspect had distributed to neighbors as a credible basis for taking the threat seriously. He argued that when an individual has demonstrated the capacity for extreme violence, such warnings must be treated with utmost caution.
