A major security alert unfolded in Munich on Thursday afternoon when construction workers made a chilling discovery - an unexploded 250kg bomb from World War II lying dormant just metres from the world-famous Oktoberfest grounds.
The historic device, believed to be an American aerial bomb, was uncovered during routine excavation work near Theresienwiese, the sprawling venue that hosts Germany's legendary beer festival. The discovery triggered an immediate large-scale emergency response.
Mass Evacuation and Security Lockdown
Authorities swiftly established a 300-metre exclusion zone around the discovery site, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents and workers from surrounding buildings. Munich police confirmed that several key transport routes were temporarily closed as bomb disposal experts were rushed to the scene.
The timing proved particularly disruptive, with the security operation coinciding with final preparations for Oktoberfest, which attracts millions of visitors annually. Festival organisers confirmed that parts of the grounds were temporarily inaccessible during the emergency operation.
Controlled Detonation Ends Threat
After careful assessment, bomb disposal specialists determined that a controlled explosion represented the safest method to neutralise the decades-old threat. The successful detonation occurred around 4:30 PM local time, sending a plume of smoke into the Munich sky but causing no injuries.
"Such discoveries remain unsettlingly common in Germany, where hundreds of WWII-era bombs are still uncovered annually," noted a police spokesperson. "Each discovery requires meticulous handling given the unstable nature of these historical explosives."
Return to Normalcy
Following the all-clear from authorities, evacuated residents were permitted to return to their homes and businesses. Oktoberfest preparations resumed, with organisers confirming the festival would proceed as scheduled despite the dramatic interruption.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of Germany's wartime legacy, where an estimated 2,000 tons of live munitions are still discovered each year, requiring specialized disposal teams to manage these dangerous remnants of history.
