Munich’s Oktoberfest was temporarily closed on Wednesday, Oct. 1, over a bomb threat in a letter written by a suspect accused of starting a deadly house fire, police said.
A 57-year-old German man, identified by Munich police as the source of the threat, was found dead a few miles away from where he allegedly torched his parents’ home while the family was inside, and was later found with an explosives-laden backpack. According to police, the suspect died by suicide.
“We haven’t found anything unusual that could be related to this potential threat scenario,” a Munich police spokesperson told reporters. Police said the search involved nearly 30 bomb-sniffing dogs from across Bavaria, a state in southern Germany.
Security personnel guards the closed Oktoberfest grounds after a house and car fire, reportedly set on purpose amid a domestic dispute in the Lerchenau area, on October 01, 2025 in Munich, Germany.
The festival reopened later in the evening after police found nothing suspicious there.
Joachim Herrmann, interior minister of the state of Bavaria, where Munich is the capital, said: “It was the right thing to do to take it seriously.”
Octoberfest hours:
The festival, which kicked off on Sept. 20, runs through this weekend and concludes on Sunday, Oct. 5.
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Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3: 10 a.m. to midnight
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Saturday, Oct. 4: 9 a.m. to midnight
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Sunday, Oct. 5: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Attendees inside a tent on Oktoberfest grounds in Munich, Germany after the report of a bomb threat and fire reportedly set by a suspect amid a domestic dispute in the Lerchenau area, on October 01, 2025. The grounds were shut down and the alleged perpetrator was later found dead.
What happened, and did Oktoberfest reopen?
The suspect’s 81-year-old mother and 21-year-old daughter suffered unspecified injuries during the incident and were taken to a hospital, ABC News reported, citing police.
The investigation also revealed “possible connections to other locations in Munich,” including the Theresienwiese festival grounds, where Oktoberfest is underway. Police reported “explosive traps” were also detected.
Attendees inside a tent on Oktoberfest grounds in Munich, Germany after the report of a bomb threat and fire reportedly set by a suspect amid a domestic dispute in the Lerchenau area, on October 01, 2025. The grounds were shut down and the alleged perpetrator was later found dead.
Police swept the area, later determined to be clear, and attendees were allowed to re-enter the venue.
The Oktoberfest, which last year attracted 6.7 million visitors who consumed approximately 7 million liters of beer, reopened at 5:30 p.m. local time, according to its website.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oktoberfest in Munich delayed Wednesday after bomb threat
