Authorities tighten security for 191st Oktoberfest

Munich authorities are expanding surveillance, strengthening drone defences and adding emergency resources for this year’s Oktoberfest after the festival grounds were closed several times because of overcrowding last year. BR reported that the new plan also includes additional rules for visitors.

A newly established security centre run by the city’s Department for Labour and Economic Affairs will analyse camera footage to identify early signs of overcrowding. More than 50 cameras installed at around 35 locations across the festival grounds will feed into the centre.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation will use artificial intelligence to analyse the footage. The Bundeswehr University Munich will use this year’s Oktoberfest as a real-world laboratory to study how visitor flows develop and improve future forecasts.

A crowdspotter, a specialist who remains in constant contact with festival management and the authorities, will also help assess the situation. If overcrowding occurs, pre-written announcements will be broadcast in several languages. Authorities faced criticism over their communication when the grounds were closed last year.

Police focus on drones

Drone detection and defence have become a high priority for Munich police, particularly after a drone incident in Leipzig, police vice-president Christian Huber said. He did not provide details of the operational plan, citing tactical reasons.

Huber stressed that the flight restriction over the festival grounds also applies to drones and recreational drone pilots. Violations will be dealt with consistently, he said.

More police and emergency vehicles

About 600 police officers and additional security personnel will be deployed again this year. Up to 230 federal police officers will patrol Munich railway stations, particularly the central station and Hackerbrücke.

Italian police officers will support Munich police during the second Oktoberfest weekend, known as Italian Weekend. Plain-clothes officers specialising in pickpocketing from eight countries will also be present.

Emergency services will receive additional support, including up to three extra emergency doctor vehicles as well as more rescue and patient transport vehicles.

Restrictions for visitors

Visitors will again face checks at the entrances. Glass bottles and bags with a capacity of more than three litres are banned. Pushchairs will not be allowed onto the grounds after 6 p.m. or on Saturdays. Security personnel will also use hand-held scanners.

A knife ban applies not only inside the festival grounds but also in the surrounding area. The city said it aimed to strengthen security in the zones outside the entrances.

Munich police and the city’s Department for Public Order have urged visitors to leave their cars at home and use public transport.