German festival bans backpacks in new security measures

Germany festival Wacken Open Air (running 4th-6th August) has banned bags and backpacks, as part of new, heightened security measures.

According to founder Thomas Jensen, the new initiative is a response to “recent events” in the country. On 24th July, a bomb was detonated outside Germany’s Ansbach music festival.

“Due to the recent events we decided that backpacks and all kind of bags are no longer allowed on the festival grounds,” Jensen tells Billboard. “We update our security plan constantly, counting in recent events such as bad weather or the security situation in Germany. Because of that our staff knows what to do and is well prepared.”

85,000 people are expected to attend Wacken Open Air.