Germany tightened security measures at Oktoberfest after a stabbing in Solingen, with queues for entry expected to be longer as metal detectors will be installed for the first time in the 189-year history of the Bavarian beer festival, according to AP News.
Authorities say there are no specific threats to Oktoberfest, which begins on Saturday with the traditional opening of the barrel in Munich and runs until 6 October. Around 6 million people are expected to attend the event, many of whom dressed in traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses.
Heightened security measures were put in place following the 23 August attack in Solingen that left three people dead and eight injured. A 26-year-old suspect from Syria was due to be deported to Bulgaria last year, but he disappeared and avoided deportation.
The violence shook Germany and put immigration back at the top of the country’s political agenda. In response, the Interior Ministry extended temporary border controls to all nine of its borders this week. The checks will last six months, threatening to test European unity.
The effects of the terrorist attack in Solingen and other recent violence across Germany will also be felt at Oktoberfest. For the first time, hand-held metal detectors will be used, which police and security officials will use on a random basis or after suspicious activity. Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter stated:
We have had to react to the fact that attacks with knives have increased in recent weeks and months. We will do everything we can to ensure that nobody comes to Oktoberfest with a knife or other dangerous weapons.
Enhanced measures
In addition to about 600 police officers and 2,000 security personnel, more than 50 cameras will be installed on the festival grounds. Visitors to the festival are also banned from bringing knives, glass bottles and rucksacks.
Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at King’s College London, claimed Oktoberfest organisers were taking a sensible approach to security against the backdrop of Solingen, as well as other recent uncovered plots across Europe. Extremists and groups such as Islamic State were keen that an attack could “cause a lot of terror,” he added.
These are all global events where you can expect to cause a lot of attention.
French authorities say they have foiled three plots against the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and other cities hosting summer events. Austrian authorities last month arrested a 19-year-old who allegedly planned to attack cancelled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna and kill tens of thousands of fans.
Oktoberfest is a challenging event to police, although authorities say there have been no specific threats to the festival.
It’s an iconic event and this is exactly the kind of event that they’d want to strike. But with millions of people – drunk people to be honest – running around, it’s really difficult to control every movement.
Festival organiser Clemens Baumgärtner pledged that the 16 days of Oktoberfest would provide “the safest place in Germany.”
