Oktoberfest tightens security measures after fatal knife attack in West Germany

MUNICH (AP) — Security has been tightened at Oktoberfest following last month's deadly knife attack in western Germany. Officials are warning revelers that there will be longer lines at the entrance because metal detectors will be used for the first time in the Bavarian beer festival's 189-year history.

Authorities say there are no concrete threats to the world's largest folk festival, which begins on Saturday with the traditional keg tapping in Munich and runs until October 6. About 6 million participants, many of them in Traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl Dressesare expected during the event.

The increased security measures follow an attack on August 23 in Solingen There were three deaths and eight injuries. A 26-year-old Syrian suspect was arrested. He was an asylum seeker who was due to be deported to Bulgaria last year but reportedly disappeared for a time and evaded deportation. The militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the violence without providing evidence.

The violence shook Germany and forced immigration is back at the top of the country's political agenda. In response, the Interior Ministry extended temporary border controls at all nine country borders this week. The controls are expected to last for six months and threaten Putting European unity to the test.

The effects of the Solingen attack and other recent violence in Germany There will also be more headlines at the Oktoberfest. For the first time, hand-held metal detectors will be used by the police and security forces on a random basis or in the event of suspicious activity.

“We had to react to the fact that attacks with knives have increased in recent weeks and months,” Munich's mayor Dieter Reiter told the Associated Press during a media tour of the festival grounds, during which he drew attention to the new security measures. “We will do everything to ensure that no one comes to Oktoberfest with a knife or other dangerous weapons.”

In addition to around 600 police officers and 2,000 security personnel than 50 cameras Warning signs will be put up throughout the festival grounds and the area will be fenced off. Knives, glass bottles and backpacks are also prohibited for festival visitors.

Oktoberfest is nothing new when it comes to increased security measures in the past. In 2016, authorities took stricter measures in response to a series of attacks, including when a German teenager shot nine people in a Munich shopping center before committing suicide.

Painful memories remain a bomb attack on the entrance to the Oktoberfest on 26 September 1980 Thirteen people were killed, including three children and the attacker, student Gundolf Koehler, a supporter of a banned right-wing extremist group. More than 200 people were injured. An initial investigation showed that Koehler had acted alone. In 2014, the Federal Prosecutor's Office reopened the case after a previously unknown witness emerged but was unable to confirm evidence of co-conspirators.

Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at King's College London, said Oktoberfest officials were taking a sensible approach to security in light of the incidents in Solingen and other recent foiled attacks across Europe. Extremists and groups such as Islamic State are looking for places where an attack would make international headlines and “cause a lot of terror,” he said.

The French authorities say they three plans thwarted against the Olympic And Paralympic Games in Paris and other cities where the summer events took place, including plans for attacks “ Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel in Paris.” And Austrian officials arrested a 19-year-old last month who allegedly planned to Attack on now cancelled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna and killed tens of thousands of fans.

“These are all global events that will attract a lot of attention,” Neumann said.

Neumann said the Islamic State had gained momentum during the War between Israel and Hamas.

The group referred to the war when they took responsibility for the violence in Solingenand said the attacker was targeting Christians and that as a “soldier of the Islamic State” he carried out the attacks “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and around the world”.

The Oktoberfest is a difficult event for the police, but authorities say there have been no specific threats to the festival.

“It's an iconic event and that's exactly the kind of event they want to have,” Neumann said. “But when you have millions of people – drunk people, to be honest – running around, it's really difficult to control every move.”

The festival's organizer, Clemens Baumgärtner, promised a safe public space, possibly “the safest place in Germany” during the 16 days of Oktoberfest.