Chaos at World's Largest Beer Festival
The iconic Oktoberfest in Munich faced unprecedented overcrowding today as authorities were forced to temporarily close all entrances to the Theresienwiese festival grounds. The dramatic measure, implemented around midday, marked the first time in the festival's history that the entire venue was sealed off due to excessive crowd density.
Panic in the Crowds
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as visitors found themselves trapped in massive crowds with no escape routes. "We couldn't move in any direction. It was really terrible, I've never experienced anything like it," one female visitor told Bavarian broadcaster BR. "We were just being pushed forward. We were scared and couldn't breathe."
The situation became so dire that some attendees called emergency services, while others reported flashbacks to the tragic Love Parade disaster in Duisburg in 2010, where 21 people died and over 600 were injured in crowd crushes.
Police Response and Investigation
Munich police confirmed that the sudden closure was necessary due to "too many people coming to the event." A spokesperson revealed that a last-minute change in tent reservations scheduled for 5:30 PM further exacerbated the chaos. "I've never experienced the meadow being closed due to overcrowding before," the police representative stated.
Initial confusion among visitors led to rumors circulating about a possible terrorist attack, though authorities quickly clarified that overcrowding was the sole cause of the emergency measures.
International Impact and Apology
The police issued multilingual announcements urging people to avoid the festival area. The Oktoberfest traditionally attracts large numbers of international visitors, particularly from Italy, with special trains running specifically for festival-goers.
After approximately one hour, authorities reopened the entrances. A spokesperson for the Munich city council, which organizes the Oktoberfest, offered apologies to visitors for the chaotic situation.
The 2025 Oktoberfest runs from September 20 to October 5 and typically draws around 7 million visitors annually. This year's festival marks the 215th anniversary of the world-famous event, which began in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.