Munich was plunged into a state of emergency following a violent family dispute that resulted in a deadly house fire, multiple explosions, and the temporary closure of the world's largest folk festival. According to investigators, the incident began when a 57-year-old man set fire to a residential building in the northern part of the city and deployed explosive devices. The situation escalated rapidly, claiming two lives and injuring two others while forcing a massive police response across the normally quiet neighborhood.
The violent episode claimed the life of the suspect's 90-year-old father, who is believed to have perished in the burning house. The 57-year-old suspect himself took his own life at a nearby lake while fleeing from police authorities. Police confirmed the suspect was carrying a backpack containing an explosive device that had to be defused before his body could be recovered from the scene, adding another layer of danger to an already volatile situation.
Authorities implemented a 200-meter evacuation radius around the burning building as heavily armed police units descended on the area. Additional vehicles were set ablaze during the incident, with a transporter burning in front of the house and two cars catching fire on nearby streets. The suspect reportedly fired shots and possibly detonated additional explosive devices while making his way toward the lake where he ultimately took his own life.
The crisis extended beyond the immediate neighborhood when a letter from the suspect was discovered in a neighbor's mailbox containing threats against the Oktoberfest. This prompted authorities to close the world-famous festival for several hours while conducting extensive searches for explosive devices. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann stated the letter included text warning people not to attend the Wiesn because it could become a "bombastic experience," leading to the precautionary closure of Germany's most celebrated folk festival.
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