MUNICH: The 190th Oktoberfest came to a close Sunday, wrapping up the world&rsquo;s largest folk festival with the traditional Bavarian marksmen&rsquo;s gun salute in Munich. Roughly 6.5 million visitors attended between Sept. 20 and Sunday, German news agency dpa reported, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian-born former governor of California spontaneously conducted a live music band and the singing crowd in a beer tent on Sept. 26. Schwarzenegger, dressed in a traditional Bavarian-style leather jacket, a buttoned-down shirt and jeans, was accompanied by his partner, Heather Milligan, and his son, Christopher. The fairgrounds were closed for hours Wednesday as police searched the area due to a bomb threat linked to an explosion across town. During the initial investigation, a letter written by the suspect and found near the crime scene contained a &ldquo;non-specific&rdquo; threat of explosives related to Oktoberfest, Bavaria police previously said. Wednesday&#39;s images showed police in fluorescent vests patrolling nearly barren pavements near roller coasters and other rides and attractions. Revelers returned to the fairgrounds Wednesday evening after it was deemed safe. Decades ago, Oktoberfest was the target of a deadly neo-Nazi attack. A bombing on Sept. 26, 1980, claimed 12 lives, including three children, plus the attacker, student Gundolf Koehler, a supporter of a banned far-right group. More than 200 people were wounded.

Europe

Munich’s 190th Oktoberfest ended Sunday with a traditional gun salute after welcoming 6.5 million visitors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The event faced a midweek bomb threat but concluded safely, recalling memories of the deadly 1980 neo-Nazi attack.

Oktoberfest ends Sunday with the traditional Bavarian salute

MUNICH: Police closed the Oktoberfest fairgrounds Wednesday morning following a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich, city officials said. At least one person&#39;s death was believed to be connected to the explosion at a residential building early Wednesday, which Munich police said was deliberately set on fire and part of a domestic dispute. It was not immediately clear whether the deceased was the suspected perpetrator or someone else. Another person, who was not considered to be a danger to the public, remained missing. Specialized teams were called to the scene to defuse booby traps in the building, police said. Officials discovered the bomb threat to Oktoberfest in a letter from the alleged perpetrator. Police searched the fairgrounds for other explosive devices and asked workers to leave the area. Authorities said the festival will be closed at least until 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Wednesday. This year&rsquo;s Oktoberfest began on Sept. 20 and ends Oct. 5. The world&rsquo;s largest beer festival usually attracts up to 6 million visitors.

Police closed the Oktoberfest fairgrounds Wednesday morning following a bomb threat from the suspected perpetrator of an explosion in northern Munich, city officials said.

Articles tagged with "Oktoberfest"

Oktoberfest ends Sunday with the traditional Bavarian salute

Munich Oktoberfest fairgrounds closed after bomb threat and deadly explosion