German heavy metal festival bans bags amid security fears

CP1699626092
FILE - In this July 29, 2015 file photo festival attendees of the Wacken Open Air wait at the train station with their luggage to be transported to the festival grounds in Itzehoe, northern Germany. Heavy metal fans planning to attend this year\'s festival had best travel light. Organizers say rucksacks and heavy bags are banned from the main festival grounds due to security. (Axel Heimken/dpa via AP, file)

BERLIN – Heavy metal fans planning to attend this year’s Wacken Open Air festival in Germany might want to travel light.

Organizers say rucksacks and bags are banned from the main festival grounds this year for security reasons.

Safety concerns have increased at public events across Germany since a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a music festival in Ansbach last month, injuring 15 people.

Wacken spokeswoman Anna Lorenz said Tuesday that checking rucksacks would slow security checks too much.

But festival-goers will be able to take in waist packs, and larger bags are still allowed at camping sites nearby.

The Aug. 4-6 festival , held in a small village northwest of Hamburg, is expected to draw 75,000 people this year. The over 120 acts include Iron Maiden, Saxon and Blind Guardian.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles