MUNICH (AP) — In response to heightened concerns about security following last month’s tragic knife attack in Solingen, Germany, Oktoberfest is ramping up its safety measures. For the first time in the festival’s 189-year history, metal detectors will be in use at entry points, and officials are cautioning attendees to anticipate longer wait times.
The world’s largest folk festival kicks off Saturday with the traditional keg-tapping ceremony in Munich and will continue until October 6. Expecting around 6 million visitors, many of whom will don traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses, the festival aims to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all.
The increased security comes on the heels of an August 23 knife attack in Solingen that resulted in three fatalities and eight injuries. The authorities apprehended a 26-year-old Syrian suspect, an asylum seeker who was meant to be deported to Bulgaria last year but had gone missing. The Islamic State has since claimed responsibility for the attack, although it has not provided substantiating evidence.
This incident has left the nation unsettled and has propelled immigration to the forefront of Germany’s political discourse. Consequently, the Interior Ministry implemented temporary border controls across all nine of Germany’s borders, which are expected to last for six months, potentially straining European unity.
At Oktoberfest, security personnel will utilize hand-held metal detectors randomly or in response to suspicious behavior, reflecting the rising trend of knife-related assaults. Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter emphasized the importance of safety, stating, “We are committed to preventing anyone from bringing knives or other dangerous weapons to Oktoberfest.”
To bolster security, the festival will employ around 600 police officers and 2,000 security staff, along with more than 50 surveillance cameras positioned throughout the fenced festival grounds. Attendees are also prohibited from bringing knives, glass bottles, or backpacks.
Oktoberfest has a history of increasing security measures in light of past incidents. Following a series of attacks in 2016, including a shooting in a Munich mall that claimed nine lives, safety protocols were tightened significantly.
The festival’s organizer, Clemens Baumgärtner, assures that Oktoberfest will be a secure environment, aiming to make it “possibly the safest place in Germany” during the 16 days of festivities.
