Oktoberfest opens in Munich, with
Photo: Matthias Schrader/AP/TT

Oktoberfest opens in Munich, with millions expected and security tightened

This year's edition of the German beer festival Oktoberfest has kicked off. Security is tight as millions of visitors are expected in Munich.

O'zapft is!

Munich's newly elected mayor, Dominik Krause, opened the 191st edition of Oktoberfest on Saturday with the traditional Bavarian exclamation "it has been tapped" - and then handed over the first liter of beer to Bavaria's head of government, Markus Söder.

Security has been tightened ahead of this year's festivities, which are expected to attract around six million visitors. Last year, the festival was forced to close temporarily after bomb threats and overcrowding, and this year AI-powered cameras have been installed to quickly identify threats and overcrowding.

Knives and flying objects - especially drones - are prohibited. Around 600 police officers are guarding the festival, along with special "pickpocket investigators" and international forces from eight countries.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers

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