Munich terror threats not a 'false alert'

  • 03/01/2016
A police officer standing guard at the main train station in Munich. (Reuters)
A police officer standing guard at the main train station in Munich. (Reuters)

Security officials in Munich are saying the terror warning posted on New Year's Eve was not a false alarm, despite there being no related arrests.

On Friday (local time), police took to social media telling people to avoid crowded areas and train stations after they received "serious information" of an "imminent" attack.

Pasing neighbourhood station and Munich's main station were evacuated because the alert, shortly before midnight. According to Associated Press, officials received a tip-off from a foreign intelligence service that five to seven Islamic State (IS) militants were planning coordinated attacks across the city which included the two train stations.

Although it is not known whether there was any substance to the threats, Munich police have told media that the safety precautions were put in place because of a "false alert".

Authorities are now investigating the terror threats, but no solid evidence has yet been found. Bavarian Interior Minister, Joachim Hermann, told local media authorities were working through alleged offenders and they were in the process of verifying the information.

Mr Hermann says Munich residents need to remain careful, but that they must also not let fear get in the way of them living their lives.

More than 500 police officers were called in on New Year's Eve just in case the threat eventuated into an attack. The city still has a heightened police presence.

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