- Munich intends to strengthen the security measures at Wiesn.
In response to the lethal knife incident in Solingen, measures to boost security at Munich's Oktoberfest are underway. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) noted, "Considering the present safety situation, we'll beef up our inspections." This move might lead to extended queues at entry points. Reiter emphasized, "Security is paramount." The Wiesn, known as the world's largest folk festival, welcomes millions of tourists annually from various parts of the world. The event is set to commence from September 21 up until October 6 this year.
During the weekend, Wiesn's head, Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU), declared that the security strategy would undergo a fresh review. "Solingen isn't completely derailing us, and there's no need to start anew as these attack scenarios have been already taken into account in our security strategy. However, failing to review everything once again would be irresponsible," he stated.
Last Friday witnessed the tragic loss of three lives in a knife attack that took place in Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The federal prosecutor's office is currently handling the case, with a 26-year-old Syrian individual being detained as a main suspect for murder and suspected association with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization.
In light of the tragic knife attack in Solingen, increased vigilance at the Oktoberfest's security checkpoints might be necessary to prevent similar incidents. Despite Solingen not completely altering their security strategy, a thorough review is essential to ensure all potential risks are addressed.
