Oktoberfest Security Guard Fatally Injured by Falling Fairground Ride
A 52-year-old guard was struck and killed by the 'Hangover' free-fall tower at the Munich festival.
A security guard at Munich's Oktoberfest died after being struck by the "Hangover" free-fall tower, a ride standing approximately 250 feet tall. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday, according to German news outlet Bild.
The 52-year-old guard, a Serbian national, was reportedly in an area he should not have been when the attraction descended and hit him. No other festival-goers or staff members were injured.
Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, appealing for witnesses to come forward. Munich's mayor, Dominik Krause, extended his condolences to the guard's family and the ride's employees, thanking emergency services for their response.
Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, began on Saturday and is expected to draw approximately six million visitors over its 16-day run, which concludes on October 4. This year's event has seen heightened security measures, including AI-powered cameras to monitor crowd density, a ban on knives and flying objects, and entry checks. Approximately 600 police officers are on duty, augmented by riot police, pickpocket investigators, and international task forces.
