The October 2025 festival opens with a tragedy, record heat, and unprecedented emergency situations.
The 190th Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich with a mix of drama, record heat, and a large influx of medical emergencies. Paramedics from Aicher Ambulance reported a record of 910 patients on the first day alone, far exceeding the previous record of 703 cases in 2023. The unusually high temperatures, reaching 31 degrees Celsius, caused circulation problems for many visitors.
Emergency teams faced a number of serious cases, including the death of a woman before the festival opened, as well as a young visitor suffering from a seizure and two serious cases of brain injuries. A total of 317 cases were transported on stretchers, with the highest blood alcohol level reaching 3.6 per thousand, which is a concerning rate. Even teenagers were not spared, as an 18-year-old American was taken to the hospital due to alcohol poisoning.
The police also had their share of intensive work. An Italian tourist, 25 years old, was arrested after he gave a Nazi salute to a souvenir seller. He was charged with using unconstitutional symbols and was released on bail after paying 3,000 euros. Meanwhile, brawls broke out among groups of tourists, including an incident involving Swiss visitors who were forced to pay a fine of 18,000 euros before being released.
Nevertheless, the festival was not without lighter moments. Canadian star Drake surprised the audience with his unconventional outfit, wearing a single-piece jeans instead of traditional leather pants. His appearance sparked a wave of sarcastic comments on social media, while foreign tourists expressed their amazement at the festival's atmosphere, with two Americans describing it as "Disneyland for adults."
The Mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, opened the event with the traditional act of tapping the first beer barrel with just two strikes, in the presence of Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder. However, the festive atmosphere did not hide the high price paid by paramedics and police forces due to the high temperatures, alcohol, and record crowds. With thousands more visitors expected in the coming days, the Oktoberfest 2025 is already set to be recorded as one of the most exciting festivals in recent memory.