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Munich Opens Oktoberfest as Mayor Taps First Keg

German authorities tightened security after last year’s overcrowding, and about 6 million visitors are expected over 16 days.

  • On Saturday, September 19, Munich Mayor Dominik Krause tapped the first keg with two strokes and cried "O'zapft is," officially opening the 191st Oktoberfest.
  • Thousands of revelers in traditional Bavarian dirndls and lederhosen flocked to the Theresienwiese fairground, with organizers expecting about 6 million visitors through October 4.
  • Authorities deployed about 600 police officers alongside AI-powered cameras to monitor crowds, responding to last year's temporary festival closure due to overcrowding.
  • To maintain order, officials enforced strict entry checks prohibiting knives, drones, and marijuana consumption, while banning large bags from the fairground.
  • Millions of guests are expected to travel from Germany and abroad over 16 days, with city planners recommending public transport due to limited parking.
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207 Articles

Lean Left

The accident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. on the Hangover attraction, an approximately 80-meter-high freefall tower.

·Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Right

A serious accident occurred in Munich: a 52-year-old worker died in hospital, and a pretzel vendor was taken to the hospital with a heart attack.

·Budapest, Hungary
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Right

A 52-year-old employee of an Oktoberfest fairground attraction died on Monday evening in Munich, Germany. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the man worked at the Hangover, a freefall tower approximately 85 meters high. According to the police, the users of the attraction were not in danger.

·Amsterdam, Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
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Center

An employee of an attraction, a freefall tower at the Oktoberfest in Munich, has died after being seriously injured. The authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.

·Brussels, Belgium
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Center

The Munich Wiesn is overshadowed by a serious accident at the beginning of the week. For an employee, every help comes too late. Eyewitnesses of the incident must be looked after by pastors.

dagelijksestandaard.nldagelijksestandaard.nl
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Right

MUNICH (ANP/DPA) - A 52-year-old employee of an Oktoberfest fairground attraction died on Monday evening in Munich, Germany. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the man worked at the Hangover, a freefall tower about 85 meters high. The users of the fairground attraction were following...

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Zeit Online broke the news in Germany on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
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